For mysterious and unknown reasons, the Sinagua abandoned its habitat in the 1400s. Maybe they had over extended agricultural pressure on the land. Perhaps there was an unbearable prolonged drought or most could have been eliminated through conflict with ancient Yavapai Indians. Most Sinaguans likely the were absorbed into other Tribes to the north. The Hopi Indians of today believe they are the descendants of the Sinagua.
Interestingly, the name Montezuma Castle was a mistaken name. Early settlers who discovered the cliff dwelling ruins erroneously assumed the ruins were connected to the Aztec Emperor Montezuma. But in-fact the Sinaqua abandoned the Castle dwellings a century before Montezuma was even born. And the dwellings are not a castle at all, but a multifamily prehistoric high-rise apartment complex.
The Sinaqua were daring builders who scaled the high cliffs to build the dwellings into cliff alcoves overlooking the Beaver Creek area a few miles from what is now Camp Verde, Arizona located about 26 miles southeast of Sedona.
The Sinagua used ladders to scale up the cliff walls and as they reached specific levels the ladders were pulled-up behind them until reaching the safety of community rooms. This helped prevent enemies from scaling straight-vertical barriers.
Artifacts confirmed the Sinaqua were fine artisans. A variety of artifacts including stone tools, metates for grinding corn, needles carved from bone to weave garments have been discovered. They created artistic ornaments made of turquoise, shells and local gemstones. Pottery was not an ornate craft but simply plain, functional cooking ware.
Other groups of Sinagua Indians groups created separate villages in Northern Arizona areas including "Tuzigoot Ruins" about 23 miles from Montezuma Castle. The remnants of the village of Tuzigoot originally were two stories high with 77 ground floor rooms that were accessed via ladders through roof openings.
Montezuma Castle is open every day of the year except Christmas Day. Hours are from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM during the summer months. During the winter months, the National Monument gates close at 5:00 PM. Nominal entrance fees apply. Children under 16 are admitted free. A free annual pass is available for active military personnel and their dependents.
Located at Exit 289 on I-17 90 miles North of Phoenix – Visitors Center 928-567-3597
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