Walnut Canyon — Island Trail Cliff Dwellings

Why it mattersKey Sinagua ancient-village with stratified sequence and regional typology.

Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.

Built

c. 1125 CE desert canyon edge

Period

Sinagua (1125–1250 CE)

Culture

Sinagua

Purpose

25 cliff rooms in limestone alcoves on Walnut Canyon island trail — Sinagua 800-person canyon community

Rediscovered

Modern excavation 1978

Excavation

Excavated

1. c. 1200 CE major extension

   Major expansion / refurbishment at Walnut Canyon — Island Trail Cliff Dwellings

2. c. 1125 CE desert canyon edge

   Initial construction / first occupation at Walnut Canyon — Island Trail Cliff Dwellings

3. 1990 excavation

   Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Walnut Canyon — Island Trail Cliff Dwellings

• Walnut Canyon — Island Trail Cliff Dwellings — Principal Structure

  structure

  structure at Walnut Canyon — Island Trail Cliff Dwellings — subsidiary complex

  35.1709° N · 111.5093° W

• Walnut Canyon — Island Trail Cliff Dwellings — Complex Annex 2

  complex

  complex at Walnut Canyon — Island Trail Cliff Dwellings — outlier feature

  35.1710° N · 111.5092° W

• Walnut Canyon — Island Trail Cliff Dwellings — Rock_Art Annex 3

  rock art

  rock art at Walnut Canyon — Island Trail Cliff Dwellings — subsidiary complex

  35.1714° N · 111.5110° W

• Walnut Canyon — Island Trail Cliff Dwellings — Structure Annex 4

  structure

  structure at Walnut Canyon — Island Trail Cliff Dwellings — outlier feature

  35.1703° N · 111.5114° W