INDIGENOUS ROOTS EXPLORING HISTORY & CULTURE North Central Arizona is home to ancient civilizations and artistic expressions that offer a glimpse into the region’s rich Indigenous heritage. From prehistoric ruins to modern museums, these sites bring past and present traditions to life. STEP INTO THE PAST JOE KOZLOWSKI Amerind Museum, Dragoon Walk among the 700-year-old ruins of Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park and Museum in Globe, where you can explore the remnants of a large village built by the Salado culture and view early world artifacts. At Montezuma Castle National Monument , a remarkably preserved cliff dwelling built by Sinagua farmers rises nearly 100 feet above the Verde Valley — offering a striking testament to ancient ingenuity. Near Clarkdale, Tuzigoot National Monument reveals a hilltop pueblo and a museum highlighting ceramics, textiles and tools discovered during excavation. LIVING TRADITIONS For a deeper understanding of Arizona’s Indigenous peoples, explore the exhibits and artifacts at the Yavapai-Apache Nation Cultural Resource Center in Camp Verde and the San Carlos Apache Cultural Museum in Peridot. (Tip: Don’t miss the on-site gift shop for jewelry, baskets and art prints.) The Museum of Indigenous People in Prescott devotes its space to collections of pottery, poetry maps and traditions of American Indian tribes across the Southwest. In Dragoon, Amerind Museum connects history with contemporary voices through gallery exhibits, research and cultural programs celebrating Indigenous archaeology and Western artistry. 69
Arizona Official State Travel Guide Arizona 2025-26: Page 69
