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Erroneously named for the 16th century Aztec ruler, the
site is a classic example of the last phase of southern
Sinagua occupation of the Verde Valley. Early
settlers, astounded by the sophisticated structures mistook the dwelling
for Aztec and the name they ascribed to the "castle" still
remains. As Montezuma Castle is the oldest and best preserved
cliff dwelling in the Southwest it is an impressive insight into the life of the Sinagua Indians who built it
in the 12th century. A lot of questions will go through your mind
when you look at the massive complex of 20 rooms that was built into a
cliff high above the flood plain of Beaver Creek - how did they do it?
No one knows for sure but the National Park Service offers interpretive
ideas in the adjacent museum and info center. Please visit http://www.nps.gov/moca/
for more information.
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