Montezuma Castle National Monument Near Camp Verde, Arizona

Montezuma Castle is the best

preserved cliff dwelling

in the United States.

Archaeological evidence shows that Montezuma Castle construction started around 1000 AD.  The Castle sits 100 feet above Beaver Creek.  About 50 people lived in the castle.  The Sinagua farmed and hunted in the area.  

Castle A has deteriorated.

This type of dwelling was

influenced by Northern

Sinagua Indians.

Smaller, hollowed out rock areas
(cavates) were used as homes
& to store grain.

These smaller dwellings became

more numerous as the

 population grew.

The population in this area peaked around 1300 AD with an estimated 185 people living in these cliff dwellings.  Around 1425, Montezuma Castle was abandoned.  Theories include warfare and drought.
According to Hopi oral traditions, the Sinagua migrated north and joined the Hopi.