WALNUT CANYON NATIONAL MONUMENT

national monument in north central Arizona, U.S., on Walnut Creek, 10 mi (16 m) east-southeast of Flagstaff. Established in 1915, it preserves more than 300 pre-Columbian dwellings built by the Pueblo Indians in shallow caves on the canyon walls and protected by overhanging ledges. Main occupancy was from AD 1000 to 1200. Well supplied with fresh water, the Indians lived chiefly by farming the mesa tops. The monument, which occupies an area of 3 sq mi (8 sq km), has a museum and observation building.