History of Anasazi State Park

The Anasazi State Park was first occupied by the Ancestral Puebloan people, commonly referred to as the Anasazi, who had settled in the San Rafael Swell region of south-central Utah by 500 BC. As farming communities, they grew corn and squash as their primary crops, supplemented by hunting and gathering. The Anasazi built earthen pit houses and later, underground dwellings for protection from the elements. They also constructed granaries, storage facilities and ceremonial structures such as kivas. In addition to their everyday activities, the Anasazi practiced complex spiritual ceremonies involving both music and dance.

During this period, much of the park was used for farming. The Anasazi built an extensive system of irrigation canals to bring water from the nearby Fremont River and Red Creek to their crops. They also erected defensive walls around the area and constructed large stone towers as lookout points.

By 1300 AD, the Ancestral Puebloans had started to move away from the area. The reasons for their migration are unknown, but it is believed that drought, overcrowding and invasions by other Native American tribes may have been contributing factors.