Tuzigoot National Monument

 The day got warmer and we decided to drive south, near Cottonwood, to Tuzigoot National Monument. It is another dwelling of the Sinagua, who are believed to have settled here in about 1000 A.D. until about 1425.

The pueblos were built using boulders  from the river, basalt, sandstone and  limestone to a thickness of  2 - 2&1/2 feet! Pretty sturdy! They  feel there were about 86 "rooms" on the main floor and 15 "rooms" on the second story.

Looking down from the highest point with the Verde Valley in the  background.

This Winter-Fat bush was used to provide food for sheep in the winter, and also had several medicinal purposes as well.

What a pleasant landscape its 200+ inhabitants woke up to every day!