Hovenweep National Monument

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Squaretower

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Hovenweep National Monument
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IUCN category	III
Location	[[Montezuma County, Colorado and San Juan County, Utah, United States]]
Nearest city	[[Cortez, Colorado]]
Area
Established	March 2, 1923
Visitors
Governing body	[[National Park Service]]
Website	[ Hovenweep National Monument]
This protected area related article is a stub.

Hovenweep National Monument is a United States National Monument located on the border between southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah. The monument is known for its six groups of Ancestral Puebloan villages that were built between A.D. 1200 and 1300. The name "Hovenweep" is a Paiute/Ute word meaning "deserted valley."

History

The area now known as Hovenweep National Monument was first inhabited by Paleo-Indians around 10,000 years ago. The Ancestral Puebloans began constructing the stone structures that Hovenweep is famous for around A.D. 1200. These structures include multi-story towers, kivas, and dams. The site was abandoned in the late 13th century, likely due to a combination of environmental and social factors.

Hovenweep was declared a National Monument on March 2, 1923, by President Warren G. Harding to protect the archaeological remains of the ancient villages.

Geography

Hovenweep National Monument spans 7843 acres across the states of Colorado and Utah. The monument is divided into six distinct units: Cajon Unit, Cutthroat Castle Unit, Goodman Point Unit, Holly Unit, Horseshoe and Hackberry Unit, and Square Tower Unit. The terrain is characterized by canyons, mesas, and desert landscapes.

Flora and Fauna

The monument is home to a variety of plant and animal species adapted to the arid environment. Common plants include sagebrush, juniper, and pinyon pine. Wildlife includes mule deer, coyote, bobcat, and various species of lizards and birds.

Visitor Information

Hovenweep National Monument is managed by the National Park Service. The visitor center is located near the Square Tower Unit and provides educational exhibits and information about the monument. There are several hiking trails that allow visitors to explore the different units and view the ancient structures up close.

Related Pages

• Ancestral Puebloans
• National Park Service
• United States National Monument
• Montezuma County, Colorado
• San Juan County, Utah

See Also

• Mesa Verde National Park
• Canyonlands National Park
• Chaco Culture National Historical Park

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