Agriculture

Grand Canyon does not bring to mind an agricultural way of life. But Tusayan's inhabitants raised corn, beans, and squash, using methods acquired from peoples to the south.

In this low-lying wash, Tusayan's farmers may have planted handfuls of seeds in small, deep holes, then carefully tended their crops. After harvest a large portion of the food was dried and stored for winter. Without it there could be no survival.

This wash has changed since prehistoric time. In historic times part of it served as a "tank" to water livestock. Some features you see in the wash today relate to these more recent uses.