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Flagstaff, Arizona
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The ball court at Wupatki Pueblo is a rare example of a Mesoamerican-style ball court found in the northern reaches of the ancient Puebloan world, indicating extensive trade and cultural exchange networks.
At its peak in the 12th century, Wupatki Pueblo was home to around 100 people and served as a cultural and trade hub for the surrounding region.
Wupatki National Monument encompasses several ancient pueblos, including Wupatki, and preserves the rich history of the Ancestral Puebloans.
The pueblo is constructed on the edge of the Sunset Crater Volcano, which erupted in the 11th century, influencing the settlement patterns of the region.
The presence of the ball court suggests cultural influences from the Hohokam people, who were known for their ball courts in the southern Arizona region.
A natural geological feature, the blowhole at Wupatki emits gusts of air due to underground pressure changes, and it was likely considered a sacred site by the Puebloans.
The inhabitants of Wupatki left the area in the late 13th century, likely due to a combination of drought and resource depletion.
