An Introduction to the Cultural History of Tonto National Monument

Jul 01,2015

Tonto National Monument was established in 1907 by President Theodore Roosevelt to preserve the natural and cultural history of two Salado cliff dwellings. The name Tonto is Spanish for foolish and was given to the Apache who inhabited the region in 1799 by Lt. José Cortés for three different reasons that are still the subject of debate today: 1) the Apache did not convert to Christianity; 2) they spoke a different dialect compared to the Spanish explorers as well as other Apache bands and 3) the natural environment of their region was viewed as harsh and useless by the Spaniards.  

The Salado culture received their name from archeologists who named them after the Río Salado (Salt River) that flowed through the region. Like many Native American groups who occupied the ancient southwest, the tribe’s true name, origin, and disappearance remain a mystery. Today, modern Native American groups in the southwestern United States such as the Zuni and the Hopi recall the Salado culture as their ancestors and maintain strong ties to the Tonto Basin.

Archeological evidence gathered from material goods such as pottery, fibers, tree rings, and carbon dating have placed the development of the Tonto cliff dwellings at approximately 700 years ago during the late classic period (1300-1450 CE). They were an extremely resourceful culture who successfully adapted to life in the desert through their practices of dry farming, man-made irrigation systems, and utilization of desert plants. Archeological evidence also indicates that an extensive intertribal trade and communication system existed throughout the region as well as the rest of the southwestern United States. Through the preservation of the cliff dwellings and the material remains found there, we have a greater understanding and insight into the prehistory of the Salado Culture. Today, staff archeologists conduct ongoing research and monitoring of the cliff dwellings to continue the protection of these unique structures.

Sources:

Dallett, N.C. “One Land, May People” At the Confluence of Change: A History of Tonto National Monument. © Nancy C. Dallett. Western National Parks Association. Tucson, AZ. (2008): 48-49

Daquila, C. and Hubbard, D. “What Does Salado Mean?” Southwest Learning. (6/19/2008).

Houk, R. Salado: Prehistoric Cultures of the Southwest. © 1992 Western National Parks Association. Tucson, AZ. Printed in Singapore. (1992).

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An Introduction to the Cultural History of Tonto National Monument

 An Introduction to the Cultural History of Tonto National Monument

An Introduction to the Cultural History of Tonto National Monument

An Introduction to the Cultural History of Tonto National Monument

Tonto National Monument was established in 1907 by President Theodore Roosevelt to preserve the natural and cultural history of two Salado cliff dwellings. The name Tonto is Spanish for foolish and was given to the Apache who inhabited the region in 1799 by Lt. José Cortés for three different reasons that are still the subject of debate today: 1) the Apache did not convert to Christianity; 2) they spoke a different dialect compared to the Spanish explorers as well as other Apache bands and 3) the natural environment of their region was viewed as harsh and useless by the Spaniards.  

The Salado culture received their name from archeologists who named them after the Río Salado (Salt River) that flowed through the region. Like many Native American groups who occupied the ancient southwest, the tribe’s true name, origin, and disappearance remain a mystery. Today, modern Native American groups in the southwestern United States such as the Zuni and the Hopi recall the Salado culture as their ancestors and maintain strong ties to the Tonto Basin.

Archeological evidence gathered from material goods such as pottery, fibers, tree rings, and carbon dating have placed the development of the Tonto cliff dwellings at approximately 700 years ago during the late classic period (1300-1450 CE). They were an extremely resourceful culture who successfully adapted to life in the desert through their practices of dry farming, man-made irrigation systems, and utilization of desert plants. Archeological evidence also indicates that an extensive intertribal trade and communication system existed throughout the region as well as the rest of the southwestern United States. Through the preservation of the cliff dwellings and the material remains found there, we have a greater understanding and insight into the prehistory of the Salado Culture. Today, staff archeologists conduct ongoing research and monitoring of the cliff dwellings to continue the protection of these unique structures.

Sources:

Dallett, N.C. “One Land, May People” At the Confluence of Change: A History of Tonto National Monument. © Nancy C. Dallett. Western National Parks Association. Tucson, AZ. (2008): 48-49

Daquila, C. and Hubbard, D. “What Does Salado Mean?” Southwest Learning. (6/19/2008).

Houk, R. Salado: Prehistoric Cultures of the Southwest. © 1992 Western National Parks Association. Tucson, AZ. Printed in Singapore. (1992).