Ancient pueblo ruins at Grand Canyon: Tusayan Pueblo.

Tusayan Pueblo was occupied by Native people about 800 years ago. Here a group of about 20 people farmed, gathered pinon nuts, and lived in this small pueblo, which includes the remains of two circular kivas. Dendochronology, or tree ring dating, provides accurate dates of its construction and occupation.
• Although there are now 6,000 identified Native habitation sites in the Park, Tusayan is one of only three developed and interpreted for Park Visitors. The others are Bright Angel Pueblo, on the South Kaibab Trail at the Colorado River, and Walhalla Glades on the North Rim, near Cape Royal.
• Although Tusayan Pueblo is located 22 miles from the Historic Village, it is only three minutes off Desert View Drive, so it is accessible in minutes if you enter the Park through the East Gate, or you drive to see Lipan Point or Desert View Watchtower.
• After being mysteriously closed for a number of years, it is now only open Thursday to Monday from 9 to 5. It is oddly closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The small museum, which contains some very interesting twig figures that are 2,000 to 4,000 years old, is similarly closed until further notice. But, nonetheless, it remains an interesting place to visit.
• Tusayan Pueblo, also called Tusayan Ruins, should not be confused with the identically named village of Tusayan, which provides hotels and restaurants near the South Gate to Grand Canyon.
• Both have borrowed their names from the former Tusayan National Forest, later folded into Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab Forest. “Tusayan” was the Spanish name for this district, although businesses and marketers now claim that it is actually a Hopi term for a plateau with little mesas. The Park Service says the name’s source has been lost over time.
• The Pueblo was excavated in 1930 under supervision of a professional archaeologist and the museum was built at the same time using private funds. It was first called the Wayside Museum, but the Pueblo was called Tusayan since 1930, as reflected in a book by the archeologist, Emil Haury, who was later a professor at NAU.
• If you’re in the neighborhood, I think the Tusayan Pueblo is well worth a visit. Even with reading the interpretive signs, the short path takes about 20 minutes, and the experience provides context about the human history of Grand Canyon. And who knows, it might also ignite a lifelong interest in young family members, as it did for me on my first visit more than 50 years ago.

[@erikalfan1027]

It feels good to be able to enjoy the historical beauty that once existed in our country

[@RationalTalk]

Thanks for watching!

[@CatherineThomas-bs1xt]

What an interesting video this is. I have enjoyed it very much. Good job, GCHIKER.

[@RationalTalk]

Thanks so much!

[@AdventuresandLifestyle]

Fascinating vlog about these ancient pueblos, giving a hint that a bigger, deeper picture is out there.
American history is much deeper and more ancient than is commonly believed.
Very well made film - loved it. 😍💯❤
Have a sunny day every day GCHiker and friends, from Paul & Kathy in GB🤝👍✊

[@RationalTalk]

Thanks so much for watching and your kind comment.

[@visualjewels]

Enjoy your wonderful adventure in Grand Canyon , thank you so much for sharing your valuable knowledge and experience with us ❤❤❤👍

[@RationalTalk]

Thanks for watching!

[@hikingoutdoorfamily]

This brought back memories for me of when our family toured this spot. You are such a wealth of knowledge about the grand canyon and all of its unique spots to see.

[@RationalTalk]

I am glad it brought back good memories. Thanks so much for watching!

[@vedrana0127]

The fact that the Native people came here even 800 years ago is interesting to me. I also didn't know there were so many native ruins in the Grand Canyon. Great presentation.

[@RationalTalk]

Yes, there is evidence of occupation for thousands of years, just not at this site, which is more recent.

[@JohnFreeman-yo9vv]

Very interesting video. I have enjoyed it very much. Thank you so much for sharing. Good work.

[@RationalTalk]

Thank you.

[@VictorBick-nq1pv]

😊

[@JanePorto-qk8wr]

Interesting topic and great video. Thank you.

[@RationalTalk]

Thanks for watching!

[@elenilabaki]

Είναι υπέροχο ευχαριστούμε που μοιράστηκες😊

[@RationalTalk]

Thanks for watching.

[@user-yt4xw5ul7p]

Not your usual topic but I like it. It is very useful and valuable information that you gave us. Thank you for sharing.

[@RationalTalk]

Thanks, I am trying to cover other topics.

[@OliverPlan]

I have always had enjoyed Indian ruins and I appreciate what you did in this video. It's so interesting and valuable information. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful video. Great job and keep it up 👍

[@RationalTalk]

Thanks so much, I am glad you enjoyed it.

[@haihaitraveler]

Thanks ❤ Fascinating, and wonderfully presented 👍 Really enjoyed watching! ❤️

[@RationalTalk]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@melbanks2271]

You're very cool buildings and likely a good break from looking at the views all day. Thank you for providing information about this alternative activity at Grand canyon.

[@RationalTalk]

Happy to do so.

[@daily-traveler]

멋진 곳이네요. 역사가 담겨 있는 곳이네요.

[@RationalTalk]

So true, there were people here long before the Europeans.

[@Mr.DsBackyard]

What an interesting video, I like it 👍

[@RationalTalk]

Thanks for watching!

[@VictorBick-nq1pv]

Great information and thank you for sharing.

[@RationalTalk]

Thanks for watching!

[@nationalparksprincess3216]

That was a beautiful look at the pueblo ruins, GC 😊

[@RationalTalk]

Thanks for watching.

[@AdamRiver-mm7wc]

Wow, I have never known that there were that many indian ruins in Grand Canyon. Sounds great and I might go visit just to see these ruins. Thank you so much for sharing. Good job.

[@RationalTalk]

I hope you can visit. Thanks for watching!

[@EmilyCoulter-bm1ls]

I think there is plenty of learning available, to justify a 20-minute visit. Good tip.

[@RationalTalk]

I agree, it is well worth the time.

[@sheilahenry7279]

Very interesting that you first went to college for anthropology. M cousin & her boyfriend went here doing work when he was in college in Ms. for anthropology. They lived there for a summer digging. This was in the 70’s

[@EmmaWarick]

6000 native American sites at Grand canyon? That's a huge number. Sounds like an urban area!

[@RationalTalk]

I am sure they had an educational time. There are so many interesting sites in the SW.

[@RationalTalk]

Of course, they were spread out over the years. Most of the pueblos were small, so my guess is that it was sparsely populated.

[@GabBanks]

Good to know and good job 👍

[@RationalTalk]

Thanks for watching!

[@Faroutfactandfiction]

Wow! Thanks for sharing!!😊😊

[@RationalTalk]

Thanks for watching!

[@RetirementChallenges]

That’s funny, how they make up stories about what Tusayan really means, when nobody knows what it means. It’s all about branding.😮

[@RationalTalk]

True. I find it funny how stories, over time, become truths. I see that a lot with Grand Canyon history.

[@user-rg3ml8jd4f]

So the take away is that people lived there for thousands of years before it was "discovered"' buy European visitors.

[@RationalTalk]

Exactly!