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Rascal Inquires, " If You Are Not Concerned About the Future, Then You Haven't Been Paying Attention." This, then is our advertising campaign, to contribute to your well being.
More Info on our BLOG
Montezuma Well (Yavapai: Ahakaskyaywa), a detached unit of Montezuma Castle National Monument, is a natural limestone sinkhole near Rimrock, Arizona. This is a funnel-shaped, limestone sink, all that is left of an ancient limestone cave that collapsed some time in the past. It is located 11 miles northeast of Montezuma Castle. The well measures 368 feet across and 55 feet deep. Subterranean springs of warm water replenish the well with over one and a half million gallons of water per day, an amount unvarying, apparently since prehistoric times. The water is highly carbonated and contains high levels of arsenic, maintaining an even temperature of 76° year around.
Montezuma Well's outflow has been used for irrigation since the 8th century. Part of a prehistoric canal is preserved at the picnic ground, and portions of the original Sinagua canal are still in use today.
The existence of the well was almost unknown to Anglo Americans before the publishing of Handbook to America by Richard J. Hinton in 1878. In 1968, Montezuma Well was the subject of the first ever underwater archaeological survey to take place in a National Park, led by archaeologist George R Fischer.
The Yavapai people believe they emerged into this world through the well, and as such, it is a very sacred place to them. In recent years Illinois Pondweed (Potamogeton illinoensis) has invaded the well. Weekly maintenance is required to keep water from the well flowing.
Regional Map showing relationship with Montezuma Castle.
Near the entrance to this national park there is an exhibit displaying an excavated community sized pithouse. Walk up this paved pathway to the covered ruin.
Holes found in the excavated floor reveal much of the structure's architecture.
Folloing the developed trail from the information booth brings you to this first view of the well itself. You can see the "pondweed" that has invaded in modern times, forcing maintenance to keep the well flowing naturally.
This paved trail continues around the well's rim revealing the remains of highly developed dwellings once occupied by prehistoric people.
The stabilized walls of one of the major pueblos.
The Beginning of Agriculture
This part of the Verde Valley was first occupied around 700 AD by prehistoric people who hunted wildlife and gathered native grasses, nuts and fruits. It is believed that farming was introduced by Hohokam people from the south. By 1300 the southern Sinagua prospered here with corn, squash, beans and cotton.
Homes Near the Well
These people found many ways to shelter themselves. From caves at the edge of the well they evolved into pithouses, cliff dwellings and contiguous masonry pueblos on the hilltops. Today you can see the remnants, walls and remains of these great dwellings made with limestone stones and rafters made of Juniper, Sycamore and Cottonwood trees. Mud from the creek bottom served as plaster.
Pueblo rooms were small - about 12 by 8 feet - and were reserved for sleeping and eating; most activities took place outdoors. Daily life included farming the nearby fields, building and repairing the masonry rooms, drying corn and seeds for winter storage, weaving baskets and sandals from Yucca plants and forming and firing ceramic pottery and clay utensils.
Generally, a level area near the pueblo was set aside as a plaza where social gathering, trading and religious festivities took place.
Abandonment
In the early 1400s, these people left their homes, farms prosperous trading connections, abundant food and water supply; an entire way of life evolved and improved over 400 years. Why they left is one of the enduring mysteries of the Verde Valley. They vacated all surrounding settlements simultaneously to include Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot. Leaving no written records, they took their secret with them.