Casa Malpais Archaeological Park & Museum: A Window into the Mogollon Culture

Casa Malpais Archaeological Park & Museum, located near Springerville, Arizona, is the premier archaeological site in Arizona's White Mountains. The name Casa Malpais translates to "House of the Badlands". The site was built and occupied by the Mogollon Culture between 1240 and 1350 AD. For nearly 200 years, the Mogollon culture occupied the site before mysteriously disappearing. Today, the Hopi and Zuni tribes claim an affinity to the site and consulted with the museum and archaeologists to ensure any work conducted was performed with sensitivity toward Native American beliefs and customs.The site features an astronomical calendar, a Great Kiva constructed of volcanic rock, ancient stairways, and rock art from the Mogollon culture. The Great Kiva, painstakingly constructed of volcanic rock, is the centerpiece. A steep basalt staircase set into a crevice of the high basalt cliff wall leads to the top of the mesa. The museum features artifacts from Casa Malpais and a video introduction by Hopi and Zuni elders. The Casa Malpais Archeological Museum contains many of the artifacts that were excavated in the early 1990's, as well as a film about the site that features Hopi and Zuni elders who talk about how their culture relates to the site.Casa Malpais was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1964. The park can only be visited by guided tour. Tours originate from the Heritage Museum located in the historic School building. Guests should call ahead for reservations when possible and should arrive 30 minutes prior to their tour time. The tour is a moderate hike, so proper sun protective clothing, sunscreen, and proper shoes should be worn.