Attraction Guide: Anasazi State Park Museum, Escalante, Utah, United States

Anasazi State Park Museum Guide

Anasazi State Park Museum: Unveiling the Ancient Past Guide

The Anasazi State Park Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans, also known as the Anasazi, who inhabited the Escalante Valley centuries ago. The museum is built around the partially excavated ruins of a large Ancestral Puebloan village called Coombs Site, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to explore and learn about this ancient culture. The Coombs Site was occupied between AD 1175 and 1275, making it one of the largest and most important Ancestral Puebloan settlements west of the Colorado River. The village consisted of over 100 structures, including dwellings, storage rooms, and ceremonial kivas. Archaeological excavations have revealed a wealth of artifacts, providing valuable insights into the daily lives, social organization, and religious beliefs of the people who lived here. The site was abandoned around 1275, likely due to environmental factors such as drought. At the Anasazi State Park Museum, visitors can explore the partially excavated ruins of the Coombs Site, walk through reconstructed dwellings, and view exhibits showcasing artifacts discovered during archaeological digs. The museum offers interpretive displays that explain the history and culture of the Ancestral Puebloans, as well as their relationship to the surrounding environment. Educational programs and guided tours are available for those who want to learn more. The museum also features a gift shop with books, crafts, and souvenirs.