Tusayan Indian Ruins &
History of Ancient Peoples

Brief History of Prehistoric Native Americans.

Tusayan Musem. Creative Commons

The Tusayan Ruins,

Tusayan Indian Ruins. Creative Commons

the Grand Canyon’s most accessible memorial, stand in honor of the Native American tribes that occupy the Grand Canyon and the surrounding area. The remains of this small, primitive community shed a muted light on the ways of the ancient, prehistoric people while still harboring some very well-kept secrets that may never be unearthed.

The history of humankind in the Grand Canyon is a very long story, rich in spirit, humility, pride, and communion with the earth. The first known occupation of the Grand Canyon occurred some 11,000 years ago. Those who existed during the Paleoindian Period were constantly on the move. Traveling in small bands, hunting megafaunic (very large-mountain goats, bison, and sloth), and gathering wild vegetation, the Paleoindian folk were never at a loss for things to do.

Geography and climates changed over the next several thousand years, leaving the Archaic tribes-descendants of the Paleoindian peoples-surrounded by ever changing seasonal weather patterns, and regular-sized versions of wildlife. They developed tools such as the "atlatl", which was used to put greater force behind shooting darts. Metates and manos were created for processing food and medicines. Incidentally, the Archaic were the very first rock artists in history, creating rock art panels, rock fireplaces and rock dwellings. Rock on. Or, rather, ice on. This period of occupation came to a freezing halt with the arrival of the last ice age.

Once the area thawed out about 3,500 years back, human life reemerged all over the canyon, and the focus turned to sustainable agriculture. In what is called the Formative Period, creativity and resourcefulness led to new and better tools and toys. By 500 A.D., inhabitants were living along the Colorado River, in the faces of the canyon cliffs, and eventually along the canyon’s extensive rim. Pottery and textiles were created out of necessity and gradually developed into art forms. During the early part of this period, although collectively named the Puebloans, the activities have been associated with the Cohonino tribe. As the centuries flew by and the styles and methods progressed, discovery of Tusayan Gray and Tusayan White ceramics signaled expansion of the Kayenta group into the Grand Canyon area. More centuries passed, architecture evolved, and began to include spaces for storage and kivas, or ceremonial rooms. The year is now 1185 A.D. Enter the Tusayan pueblo.

The Tusayan Ruins.

There are several contentions about the name of those who occupied this community, from Anasazi to Hopi to Puebloan. Today, the Hopi people firmly believe they are the true ancestors of those who lived at Tusayan and other ancient dwellings in the canyon. The Anasazi (Navajo term for old enemy) name is often tossed into the ring and is synonymous for Hopi. Puebloan is just a broad term created by archaeologists, and applies to any of the canyon’s occupants from the Formative Period. Regardless of their given name, the people who built and resided within the Tusayan ruin dwelling utilized more primitive and haphazard methods of construction. Perhaps they were caught off guard by an early winter, and needed quick shelter. Perhaps they had never constructed such a dwelling before, and being novices, chose a design based on those found within the canyon walls.

Few clues were left behind when they exited, seemingly as quickly as they had entered the area. After the initial abandonment, it is thought that other tribes may have used the dwelling as a resting place in later centuries, thus damaging and even destroying evidence of the past.

Discovery of Tusayan Indian Ruins.

The arrival of the year 1930 brought the discovery of the Tusayan ruins. Up and coming archaeologist, Harold S. Gladwin created the Gila Pueblo Archaeological Foundation with his wife, in Globe, Arizona, in order to explore the mysterious past of the southwest, including territories in and around the Grand Canyon. Their excavation of the Tusayan site unearthed several artifacts which are now housed in the adjacent museum. Extensive study was conducted on the kivas; however, the southwest portion of the dwelling was left completely untouched to demonstrate the condition of the ruins prior to excavation. As of today, no work has been done to reconstruct or rebuild any part of these ruins. Through the Vanishing Treasures program, however, careful efforts have been made to protect and shore up weakening parts of the structure.

There are many vacancies in this, the story of those, past and present, who made the Grand Canyon their home. While learning all the facts and figures of this amazing history could take years, just stepping around these ruins can offer, even if only fleeting, a glimpse of what life must have been like for those who were blessed to call the Grand Canyon home.

Tour of the Tusayan Ruins.

The Tusayan Ruins are included in Silver Spur's Grand Canyon South Rim Loop Tour that departs from Sedona, Arizona and Flagstaff, Arizona. If you need accommodations, see Sedona AZ Hotels or Flagstaff Hotels.