Ranger Minute: How Ancient Peoples Lived at Grand Canyon

A visit to Tusayan Ruin and Museum provides a glimpse of Pueblo Indian life some 800 years ago. In this Ranger Minute, Ranger Brian Gatlin provides an introduction to these ancient people who called Grand Canyon "home." How was their life similar to ours today?

A visit to the Museum provides a glimpse into Pueblo Indian life at Grand Canyon some 800 years ago. Admission is free. This was a thriving community as illustrated by its pottery, arrowheads and other household artifacts.

The Tusayan Museum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and is located 3 miles (5 km) west of Desert View.

Also shown here are representative handicrafts from today's local tribes, providing a glimpse into their rich cultures.

The museum features some of the original 2,0004,000 year old split-twig figurines. Often they are made in the shape of deer or bighorn sheep, sometimes with horns or antlers.

Free admission.

Tusayan Ruin is located three miles west of Desert View and is open daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free. A self-guiding trail leads through the adjacent village remains.

Download the Tusayan Ruin Trail Guide (821kb PDF File)
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit...

Download the Desert View Drive Map (237kb PDF File)
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit...

Download the Desert View Trail Guide (1MB PDF File)
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit...