Nalakihu

Nalakihu is an archaeological site located in northeastern Arizona, United States. It is a prehistoric pueblo ruin believed to have been occupied by the Ancestral Puebloans, specifically the Kayenta branch, between approximately 1050 and 1250 CE. The site is situated on a sandstone outcrop overlooking the valley, offering a strategic defensive position.

The pueblo itself consists of numerous rooms, including kivas, which were ceremonial chambers. Excavations at Nalakihu have revealed a wealth of artifacts, such as pottery shards, stone tools, and animal bones, providing insights into the daily life, diet, and cultural practices of its inhabitants. The pottery found at the site is characteristic of the Kayenta tradition, often featuring polychrome designs.

Nalakihu is significant for its relatively well-preserved architecture and the evidence it provides about Ancestral Puebloan settlement patterns and social organization in the region. The site's location suggests an adaptation to the arid environment, with a focus on agriculture, likely maize, beans, and squash, supplemented by hunting and gathering.

The abandonment of Nalakihu is not precisely dated but likely occurred around the same time as other Kayenta pueblos, possibly due to environmental changes, resource depletion, or social factors. Today, Nalakihu is managed as a park and is a valuable resource for understanding the prehistory of the American Southwest.