Tuzigoot National Monument
Tuzigoot is the name given to a group of dwellings occupied by the Sinagua. Located near the towns of Clarkdale and Cottonwood, the Tuzigoot National Monument is open every day of the year except Christmas. In addition to the Sinagua dwellings, there are informative displays in the visitor center. The monument, located at some distance from major thoroughfares, attracts approximately 125,000 visitors annually.
History of the monument
According to Louis Caywood and Edward Spicer, graduate students at the University of Arizona who worked on the Tuzigoot project in the 1930s, the excavation of Tuzigoot Ruin began as an effort to collect and preserve archeological materials, under the guidance of the Archaeological Committee of the Yavapai County Chamber of Commerce in Prescott. Others emphasize that individuals connected with the Smoki Museum in Prescott were instrumental in the efforts to excavate Native American sites and collect and preserve the materials found there. Many artifacts found at Tuzigoot are now housed at the Smoki Museum.
Dr. Byron Cummings of the University of Arizona directed early excavations in Yavapai County, which began at King's Ruin on Chino Creek in the summer of 1932. The following year his team began excavation work at Fitzmaurice Ruin on Lynx Creek. Researchers gave the next focal point, located in the Verde Valley, the name Tuzigoot. Since Montezuma Castle was already well established as a National Monument, researchers hoped that excavations at Tuzigoot would provide an excellent point of comparison for two geographically separated areas of Sinagua settlement in the Verde Valley.
Organizers of the excavations appreciated more than the scholarly aspects of the undertaking. They understood that an extensive project would provide work for many people hard-hit by the Depression. At least 48 laborers were employed on the project at Tuzigoot through the Federal Emergency Relief project. Then, late in 1933, the US Civil Works Administration for the State of Arizona was organized. Grace Sparkes, who was with the Yavapai County Chamber of Commerce at that time, was instrumental in getting CWA support. By June 1 of 1934, most of the excavation and some of the preservation work was complete.
The approach of archeologists has changed over the years. In the 1930s, when Tuzigoot was excavated, archeologists tended to thoroughly excavate every site they located. Through time, however, they have not only improved their techniques, but they have also changed their philosophy. Now they are slow to excavate since they can learn a great deal through non-intrusive methods, such as surface analysis and ground penetrating radar. Archaeology is a science that, in the true interest of preservation, has, according to Mr. Reid, "taken on itself not to do what it is designed to do."
However, because Tuzigoot was excavated, it had to be stabilized and preserved. With regard to site preservation, eventually all the mortar in the walls in the Sinagua structure at Tuzigoot was covered in order to stabilize it. Only in the top room is the original mortar visible. However, about 90% of the structure is considered to be original.
Although the Sinagua dwellings are the focal point of the Monument, over the years, the Visitors' Center has acquired significance as well. Built in 1935-36, the attractive Visitors' Center/Museum was constructed using local materials. The stone is indigenous to the region, and the Civilian Conservation Corps harvested the timber in the Sedona area.
The center initially served as a museum as well as the residence of the site custodian. Some of the furniture in the present offices, including a heavy wooden desk and chair, was made during the WPA period. Display cases for the Museum may have been constructed using CWA labor, but there is some conjecture that they were built in wood-shop classes at the high school in Jerome.
Tuzigoot is located on land once owned by United Verde/Phelps Dodge. The corporation sold the site to Yavapai County for $1, so that the excavation could be completed under the auspices of federal relief projects. The County in turn transferred the land to the Federal Government.
On July 25, 1939, Franklin Roosevelt proclaimed Tuzigoot a national monument. After that, rangers and naturalists replaced the custodian. This whole process helped to fulfill another of the original aims for excavating the site. Organizers hoped to provide a space within the County where residents could go for entertainment and enlightenment. In the difficult days of the Depression, they wanted to keep scarce entertainment dollars close to home.
History of the site
Tuzigoot is a prehistoric site constructed by the Sinagua, a group somewhat loosely connected by trade and perhaps religion, that inhabited the Verde Valley between 1100 and 1425.
The pueblo at Tuzigoot was built around 1100 and habitation appears to have been continuous till about 1400. The population in around 1300 was between 200 and 250.
Estimates of the pueblo's physical size range from 77 rooms to 87 to 110, depending on what areas are included in the count. Most of these rooms appear to have been living spaces. Not many areas have been identified as designated for storage.
Although it is difficult to determine the life-style of the inhabitants of Tuzigoot, we do know that the area around Tuzigoot is ideal for human habitation. The weather was temperate, and water (from the nearby Verde River) was plentiful. Not only were wild plants abundant, but also much of the surrounding land was suitable for agriculture. Some farmers engaged in dry farming, but agriculture was enhanced when farmers dug ditches to bring water from the river to the fields.
The Sinagua produced pottery that was functional rather than ornamental. They were accomplished at working in stone and jewelry making. Excavation has uncovered exquisite objects woven from cotton and other plants, such as yucca.
There is evidence that the inhabitants of Tuzigoot traded with others throughout Arizona and New Mexico. We do not know much about the relations among the various settlements, but it appears to have been fairly equal and peaceful.
ARTIFACTS
Structures:
Buildings
Pueblo: Sinagua, c. 1100 consisting of between 77 and 110 rooms; stone construction
Visitors Center: approx. 20' x 40', mid 1930s Depression construction using CWA labor and local materials (stone and wood)
III. Building Furnishings, Indian
Personal Adornment, Indian
Beads, assortment of argillite, turquoise and shell beads
Pendant, assortment of argillite, turquoise and shell pendants
Pendant, Hohokam?, animal cutout shell pendants (7)
Rings and tinklers, assortment
Shell, assortment of unworked or partially worked shell
Personal Gear, Indian
Pipe, ceramic, no attribution or date
Toilet articles, Indian
Hairpins, bone (3)
Tools and equipment for materials
Agricultural T&E, Indian
Hoe, stone
Food processing T&E
Celt, miniature
Metate and mano (9)
Mortar, stone, small (4)
Stone, grilling or piki (2)
Food Service T&E, Indian
Dipper, Anasazi black on white
Pitcher, Anasazi black on white
Leather, Horn and Shellworking T&E
Awl, Indian, bone, no attribution
Painting T&E
Palette, carved stone, no attribution (3)
Textileworking T&E
Spindle whorl, assortment of ceramic and bone spindle whorls
Multiuse T&E, Indian
Anvil, ground stone pottery
Axe handle, desiccated wood
Axe, double headed three-quarter grooved axe
Axe, long three-quarter grooved (3)
Axe, small three-quarter grooved, THM
Chopper, archaic basalt (5)
Cylinders, 4ground stone ()
Drill, chert and obsidian (5)
Flesher or scraper, bone (4)
Knife, chert and obsidian (7)
Mallet, double-headed three-quarter grooved
Pipe, argillite (2)
Polishing stones, (2)
Shaft straightener (3)
Tools and Equipment for Science and Technology
Armament T&E, Indian
Projective points, assortment of side notched obsidian projectile points
Projectile point or knife, archaic basalt (5)
Musical T&E, Indian
Whistle, bird bone (4)
VI. Communication Artifacts
Art, Indian
Figurine, clay human and animal
VII. Distribution and Transportation, Indian
Container, Indian
Unclassified container, Indian
Bowl, Anasazi black on white with suspension handle
Bowl, Hopi black and white on yellow polychrome, prehistoric
Bowl, Hopi black on yellow, prehistoric
Bowl, Sinagua black on red, medium
Bowl, Sinagua brown, medium
Bowl, Sinagua, white on red
Bowl, stone, large, unattributed
Jar, Anasazi black on red
Jar, Sinagua red, small (2)
Olla, Sinagua brownware, large (12)
Seed jar, Anasazi black on red
Artifact remnant, Indian
Shards, various
