La Ciudad (archaeological site) facts for kids
La Ciudad is an ancient archaeological site located in Phoenix, Arizona. It's a special place where scientists have found clues about the Hohokam people, who lived in this area a very long time ago. Today, much of the site is covered by St. Luke's Medical Center.
What Was La Ciudad?
La Ciudad means "The City" in Spanish. It was once a large village or settlement built by the Hohokam people. Archaeologists, who are like history detectives, study these sites to learn about how ancient people lived.
This particular site was explored by an archaeologist named Frank Midvale. He led excavations, which means careful digging, from 1929 to 1936. His work helped us understand more about the Hohokam way of life.
Who Were the Hohokam People?
The Hohokam were an ancient group of people who lived in the desert areas of what is now Arizona. They were very clever farmers. They built amazing systems of canals to bring water from rivers to their fields. This allowed them to grow crops like corn, beans, and squash in the desert.
The Hohokam lived in villages like La Ciudad for hundreds of years. They were skilled at making pottery, tools, and other items that tell us about their daily lives and culture.
Discovering Ancient Artifacts
Many of the important objects found at La Ciudad are now kept at the Heard Museum in Phoenix. The Heard family, who started the museum, actually bought the land where the La Ciudad ruin was located in 1926. This helped protect the site and its treasures.
These artifacts, like pieces of pottery, stone tools, and other remains, help us piece together the story of the Hohokam people and their lives at La Ciudad. Visiting the Heard Museum is a great way to see these ancient objects up close and imagine what life was like thousands of years ago.
