Hidden Stories Of Ancient Life At The Grand Canyon

I have never visited the Grand Canyon, despite living in Arizona my entire life, but recently I stumbled upon pictures of buildings along the walls of the canyon. I had to ask myself, did people use to live in the canyon? The answer is yes, and there are still some natives living there today!

Get our free mobile app

brown rocky mountain under white clouds during daytime

Ancient Architecture

Archaeologists have uncovered over 4000 ancient sites in the Grand Canyon, revealing a deep timeline of human life. Some of the most striking discoveries are the Ancestral Puebloan granaries and cliff dwellings, tucked high into the canyon's walls.

According to the National Park Service, most of these cliff dwellings were built near streams of water. There are two major cliff dwelling archeologists have studied. The balcony house, which is estimated to have been home to at least 30 people, and the Cliff Palace, which is estimated to have over 150 rooms.

READ: How Did Early Phoenix Residents Beat The Summer Heat?

A rocky cliff with a building built into it

The Ancient People

The oldest group of people who have been recorded migrating through the Grand Canyon were the Paleo-Indians. They lived roughly 9,000 to 13,000 years ago and hunted with spears and fed on ice age animals such as Saber-Toothed cats and Mammoths.

The Archaic people lived 3,000 to 9,000 years ago and are most known for their paintings, or pictographs. They also sculpted animals with twigs, and left them in caves,

The Basketmakers lived 1,300 to 3,000 years ago and were known for making baskets and shoes out of the fibers of yucca plants.

The Ancestral Puebloans were around 800 to 1300 and lived together in stone houses. These natives grew squash, beans, and corn, and built pueblos specifically for storing food.

Ancient petroglyphs of human figures on rock

Current Residents of the Canyon

Today, multiple native tribes still live in the Grand Canyon. 11 federally recognized tribes are noted to live in the canyon to this day. The Havasupai Tribe lives in the Supai village deep in the canyon where they have tended land for centuries.

The Hualapai tribe live on the borders of the western rim of the canyon and have traditions tied to the river. The Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni tribes all maintain cultural traditions tied to the canyon. Many of them live on the nearby land, and have songs, stories, and ceremonies tied to the canyon.

READ: The Fascinating History Behind Arizona's Abandoned Towns

brown wooden cross on brown rock formation during daytime

The Grand Canyon has been called home to many people for thousands of years. From ancient cliff dwellings to farms and modern communities, the canyon is a place where the past and present stand together. It's people, both ancient and living remind us that the Grand Canyon is much more than a view. It is a piece of history, and a place many call home. 

CONTINUE READING: 3 Things You Might Not Know About The Grand Canyon.