By John Huff
Central Arizona is a transition zone for natural biomes, a crossroad where many different people and environments intersect. Dr. Matt Peeples, ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change, lecture on Central Arizona as a Crossroads in the Past and Present was hosted by the Sharlot Hall Museum on March 1, 2025.
Most of the lecture was how the indigenous people in the Prescott area were influenced by Hohokam, Trincheras and into what is now Central America from the south, Sinagua and Ancestral Pueblo from the north, and Mogollon from the east. Which created a melting pot of trade, creativity, and culture in what is now the Prescott region.
One of the takeaways from the lecture includes the idea that these different wide ranging indigenous groups probably did not have one common language, but had many different variations. Which could mean that many individuals were fluent or knowledgeable in different languages especially in the central Arizona transition zone. Another takeaway was Central Arizona had a low population which resulted in creative pottery decoration, superior cotton textiles, and uses of different public architecture ideas from Hohokam, Ancestral Pueblo and Mogollon peoples.
Dr. Peeples main area of study for 20 years is Perry Mesa in the Agua Fria National Monument. Some of his findings there include race tracks only found in Central Arizona. Pottery from both northern and southern indigenous potters. Glyphs that are also from indigenous peoples outside of Central Arizona. Copper bells and macaws coming to the Agua Fria National Monument area by trade routes from West Mexico.
A good example of a blending of public architecture influences from outside of the Central Arizona is at Wupatki National Monument where a Kiva structure, ball court and building construction all come together in one indigenous habitation.
The 55 minutes lecture on YouTube can be found at this link: