Elden Pueblo facts for kids
Elden Pueblo (called Pasiwvi in the Hopi language) was an ancient Native American village. It was located at the base of Mount Elden, close to Flagstaff, Arizona. This village was an important part of a large trading network. Archaeologists have found interesting items here, like macaw skeletons from Mexico and shell jewelry from the California coast. Today, Elden Pueblo is a protected area. It is used for scientific research and for teaching people about its history.
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Discovering Elden Pueblo's Past
Elden Pueblo was once home to the Sinagua people. They lived here from about 1070 to 1275 AD. Experts believe that 200 to 300 people lived in this village. Their homes had about 60 to 70 rooms, built from packed stones.
Who Found Elden Pueblo?
A woman named Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton first discovered this important site. Her husband, Harold Colton, first called it Sheep Hill Pueblo. Later, in 1926, another archaeologist named Jesse Walter Fewkes started digging there. He sent bones and pottery he found to the Smithsonian museum. This caused a big disagreement among other archaeologists in Arizona.
Why Was There a Disagreement?
The disagreement between Fewkes and other archaeologists, like Harold Colton, was important. It led to new laws to protect ancient sites in Arizona. One result was the 1927 Arizona Antiquities Act. This law helped make sure that important historical places would be cared for. It also helped create the Northern Arizona Society of Science and Art.
What About the Burial Mound?
Near Elden Pueblo, a large mound was found. Some people think it was a burial mound. Others believe it was just a pile of dirt left over from Fewkes' digging. Scientists also found old building ruins underneath the mound. This makes the mound's true purpose a bit of a mystery.
Learning About the Sinagua People
Archaeological studies at Elden Pueblo teach us a lot. They show how the Sinagua people designed their buildings. They also give clues about how their society was organized. For example, the way people were buried and the decorations on their graves can tell us about their social standing.
The Winona Meteorite Story
You might hear that the Winona meteorite was found at Elden Pueblo. However, this is not true. The meteorite was actually discovered at a different Sinagua site, many miles away.
