Walnut Canyon National Monument, designated as such by President Woodrow Wilson on November 30, 1915, stands as a significant archaeological site located approximately 10 miles southeast of downtown Flagstaff, Arizona. This monument preserves the ancient cliff dwellings of the Sinagua people, a pre-Columbian cultural group that thrived in the region from around 1100 to 1250 AD. The name “Sinagua” is derived from the Spanish words “sin agua,” meaning “without water,” highlighting the inhabitants’ remarkable ability to conserve water and sustain life in a dry environment.
Historical Places
Cutzamala (Mesoamerican site)
The archaeological site of Cutzamala, located in the northern Guerrero region of Mexico, has emerged as a significant point of interest for understanding the dynamics of the Postclassic period in Mesoamerican chronology. This period, marked by intense conflict between the Purépecha (Tarascan) state and the Aztec Empire, saw Cutzamala serving as a strategic garrison outpost. Ethnohistorical sources, including the Relaciones geográficas, reveal that up to ten thousand Purépecha warriors were stationed here, highlighting the site’s military importance during this era of territorial disputes.
Huandacareo
Huandacareo, an archaeological zone situated approximately 60 kilometers north of Morelia, Michoacán, stands as a testament to the rich cultural tapestry of pre-Hispanic Mexico. Constructed on an elevated plateau with a commanding view of Lake Cuitzeo, this site, locally known as “The Nopalera,” is located roughly 2.46 kilometers from the lake’s northwestern shores and about two kilometers from the center of the Huandacareo town and municipality. The site spans an area of 300–400 km^2 on the western side of Lake Cuitzeo, the second largest freshwater lake in Mexico, known for its fluctuating water levels.
Tamuín
Tamuín, a municipio in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí, stands as a testament to the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Huastec civilization, a branch of the Maya group. This region, located approximately 1000 km south of the US border, is part of the broader area known as Huasteca, which spans across several Mexican states. Today, Tamuín is recognized for its significant archaeological sites that offer insights into the precolonial Huastec culture.
Takht-i-Bahi
Takht-i-Bahi, translating to ‘throne of the water spring’ in Persian, stands as a significant archaeological site of an ancient Buddhist monastery located in Mardan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. This site is recognized as one of the most crucial relics of Buddhism in the region once known as Gandhara. Its preservation status is notably exceptional, making it a focal point for scholars and enthusiasts of Buddhist architecture and history.
Anundshög
Anundshög, located near Västerås in Västmanland, stands as the largest tumulus in Sweden. With a diameter of 60 meters and a height of approximately 9 meters, this monumental mound has captivated historians, archaeologists, and visitors alike. The origins of Anundshög have been debated, with assessments placing its construction between the Bronze Age and the late Iron Age. Radiocarbon dating of a fireplace beneath the mound suggests it was built sometime between AD 210 and 540.