BeshBaGowah

Atop a ridge overlooking Pinal Creek in Globe, Arizona sits this ancient Salado Pueblo, abandoned almost six hundred years ago. Known today as Besh-Ba-Gowah....a name adopted by Irene Vickery (an archaeologist that studied this site from 1935 to 1940), from the term originally given to this ruin by the Apaches. Roughly translated Besh-Ba-Gowah means "place of metal". The ruin has been partially restored and along with a museum and gift shop, provides an interesting glimpse into the lifestyles of the people that once occupied this region.

Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park

City of Globe

150 N. Pine St.

Globe, Arizona 85501

At one time, this pueblo contained an estimated 146 ground-floor and 61 second-story rooms that were constructed around three large plazas. Besides living quarters, there were also 20 rooms for storage, passageways, and four additional patios. It appears that the peublo was built in four or five different stages spanning over approximately 225 years (A.D. 1225 to A.D. 1400). Excavations revealing pit house structures provide evidence that the Hohokam previously occupied this area and date the occupation of this site to as early as A.D. 750. The pueblo was constructed of stone laid in adobe mortar.

A reconstructed ladder going to the second story.

Archeaologists that excavated BeshBaGowah believe that this room served as the community cermonial center. The entrance was from a central room hatchway, down a long wooden ladder. The room has unusual floor features and is surrounded on three sides by benches, where it is believed that participants sat and watched ceremonies. Against East side was an altar, and above the altar is a smoke and echo chamber, used to enhance ceremonies. A Sipapu (small square hole) was found below the altar, it was filled with ground turquoise and sealed with a large quartz crystal. A Sipapu is believed, through Native American studies, to represent an "earth navel" where spirits can pass from middle earth to this world.

Revised: 06/10/2006