Wupatki National Monument
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| Wupatki | |
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Missing image LocMap_Wupatki.png Image:LocMap_Wupatki.png | |
| Designation | National Monument |
| Location | Arizona USA |
| Nearest City | Flagstaff |
| Coordinates | Template:Coor dms |
| Area | 35,254 acres 14 266 ha |
| Date of Establishment | unknown |
| Visitation | unknown |
| Governing Body | National Park Service |
| IUCN category | V (Protected Landscape/Seascape) |
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Wupatki National Monument is an area of north-central Arizona, rich in American Indian ruins, administered by the National Park Service in close conjunction with the nearby Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.
The many settlement sites scattered throughout the monument were built by the Ancient Pueblo Peoples, more specifically the Sinagua, Cohonina, and Kayenta Anasazi. A major population influx began soon after the eruption of Sunset Crater in the 11th century, which blanketed the area with volcanic ash; this improved agricultural productivity and the soil's ability to retain water. Based on a careful survey of archaeological sites conducted in the 1980s, an estimated 2000 immigrants moved into the area during the century following the eruption.
Agriculture was based mainly on corn and squash raised from the arid land without irrigation.
The dwellings, the walls of many of which still stand, were constructed from flat red stones held together with mortar. Each settlement was constructed as a single building, sometimes with scores of rooms. The largest settlement on monument territory is the namesake Wupatki Ruin, built around a natural rock outcropping. Other major sites are Wukoki and The Citadel.
links
- [1] (http://www.nps.gov/wupa/)Template:US-west-geo-stub