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Besh-ba-Gowah Archeological Park, a Salado Culture pueblo, is one of the Southwest's best archaeological sites. Archaeologists believe that the Salado used this complex series of rooms built between A.D. 1250 and 1450 for religious ceremonies well as food storage purposes. But what archaeologists do not know is why the Salado left. Was the pueblo abandoned as a result of internal strife, drought, or disease? Had the population grown so large that demand and overuse led to a scarcity of resources? Where did the Salado go? Did they disperse into smaller groups or return to a way of life based on hunting and gathering food? Did they join one of the other cultures or form small agricultural communities? Develop theories with your children. It will make the visit to this 700 year-old pueblo that much more fun!