National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
Wupatki National MonumentWupatki Pueblo
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
Wupatki National Monument
History & Culture
 

Wupatki National Monument was established by President Calvin Coolidge on December 9, 1924, to preserve Citadel and Wupatki pueblos. Monument boundaries have been adjusted several times since then, and now include additional pueblos and other archeological resources on a total of 35,422 acres.  

Wupatki represents a cultural crossroads, home to numerous groups of people over thousands of years. Understanding of earlier people comes from multiple perspectives, including the traditional history of the people themselves and interpretations by archeologists of structures and artifacts that remain. You can explore both through the links on this page.

Wukoki Pueblo
Archeology
The findings of archeologists can reveal more about people from times past.
more...
Pottery
Cultural Perspectives
Oral traditions link past to present-day peoples
more...
Aerial view of Sunset Crater Volcano  

Did You Know?
The large pueblos preserved at Wupatki National Monument were constructed in the years following the eruption of nearby Sunset Crater, sometime between 1040 and 1100. Volcanic ash, deposited in thin layers, retained moisture and improved farming for an increased population at Wupatki.

Last Updated: May 11, 2007 at 14:28 EST