If you are a fan of Archaeology, a must see is the Besh Ba Gowah Archaeological Park and Museum. This multistoried, 200 room Pueblo Salado ruins is located only a mile from the city of Globe. Visitors can take a self-guided tour, walking around the rooms and even climb ladders to check out the second story of this 800-year dwelling that overlooks the Pinal County Creek.
Besh-Ba-Gowah is an Apache word meaning “Place of Metals.” A reference to the mining activity in the area. The site was originally occupied by the Salada people between 1225 to 1400 AD. The ruins were first investigated by Adolf F. Bandelier in 1883 and in 1935 true excavation of the site began. The site is thought to originally house 400 rooms.
The adjacent museum houses one of the largest collections of Salada artifacts, giving you a peek into the everyday lives of the people who once lived there. See prehistoric pottery, stone tools, jewelry and woven artifacts. There are also botanic gardens to explore where you can learn more about the plants that were used by the people who lived there. The adjacent Museum includes a theater which plays videos packed full of information about the ancient culture and the ruins. There is also a bookstore where scientific journals can be accessed by visitors, as well as a gift shop.
During the month of December, the Annual Festival of Lights is held at the site. The ruin walls are lined with 2200 glowing luminaries that set the dwelling aglow with soft light. The festival offers some entertainment as well as a variety of food vendors.
Besh Ba Gowah is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The site is pet friendly. Admission is Adults $5 / Seniors (65+) $4 / Children (12- ) FREE. During Summer between July 1 through September 30 the museum is closed Mondays and Tuesday. It’s also closed on the following holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Besh Ba Gowah Archaeological Park and Museum is located at 1324 S. Jesse Hayes Rd. Globe, AZ 85501. Telephone: (928) 425-0320. Email: beshbagowah@globeaz.gov Website: http://bit.ly/beshbagowah