S'edav Va'aki Museum

Step back in time at the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park and discover the secrets of the Native American Hohokam people. Unbelievably, this cultural park and adjacent ruins are tucked away behind East Washington Street, just fifteen minutes from the bustling city centre. This hidden gem is an absolute must for those interested in anthropology and history and is highly recommended for anyone who would like to learn more about the indigenous residents of the Valley of the Sun.Begin your journey into antiquity by studying this fascinating culture in the on-site museum which contains a mix of exhibits on Hohokam pottery, tools and jewellery. It is thought that the village had a population of about 2,500 people who worked over 4,000 hectares of land. Fishing, hunting and intertribal trading formed the backbone of this venerable community. Learn about their tools, cultivation methods and systems of irrigation from the impressive exhibitions. Junior archaeologists will be pleased to know that the museum also holds many children’s events and workshops. Little ones can even build their own replica Hohokam hamlet.Outside, a series of interpretive trails take visitors past excavated sights including a ball court and an ancient dwelling that has been reconstructed using authentic tools and materials. As you make your way around this dusty 15,000 year-old Hohokam village, examine the infrastructure of the canals that were built by the indigenous people. It’s extraordinary to think that these original canals formed the template for modern waterways.While the exact fate of these ancients is unknown, it is thought that this village was abandoned around 1450 AD. The people have vanished but they have left their mark. So before you depart, take a minute to note the way in which these ancient ruins are juxtaposed against the backdrop of modern Phoenix. You simply won’t find anything like it anywhere else in the world.