March marks Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month. This commemoration, initiated in 1983, is a dedicated time to appreciate our state's deep cultural history and the importance of its preservation. 

The true meaning of this month lies in understanding what archaeology and heritage represent. Arizona is steeped in history, from territorial structures to pueblos, petroglyphs, and potsherds that were made by people thousands of years ago. 

As archaeologist and SHPO Cultural Resources Compliance Manager Mary-Ellen Walsh explains, archaeology "allows us to physically see the remnants of history," but for members of Arizona's 22 federally recognized Native American tribes, "it is a connection to their past." Archaeology is about the tangible things that connect us to those who were here before us — a connection that underscores the importance of visiting sites respectfully.

Our state's heritage encompasses archaeological sites and artifacts as well as language, traditions, arts, and culture: the things that illuminate past communities and help us understand who we are today. State Historic Preservation Officer Kathryn Leonard notes, “a visit to a historic building, site, or even a landscape is fundamentally about experiencing a 'sense of place,’” and preserving that sense is the very purpose of her office's work. "It's a way of thinking about the world around you," she says. "What do we value enough to want to carry forward into the future?"

>> Learn more about the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)

How to Celebrate Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month

You can celebrate Arizona's past and future by engaging in a variety of activities. This year, the celebration carries special significance as we also recognize the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, providing an incredible lens through which to explore our shared heritage right here in Arizona.

• Explore Arizona America250
  As part of the national celebration, check the America250Arizona Commission for events and activities. Or, join Outdoors250 birding and trail events to connect with Arizona’s landscapes, and enter to win a drawing for prizes.
• Respect archaeological sites
  Whether visiting a major site or the backcountry, remain on trails and leave artifacts where they lie, as they are irreplaceable parts of Arizona’s heritage. Brush up on other best practices with the State Historic Preservation Office’s Archaeological Site Etiquette Guide.
• Embrace heritage tourism
  Visit state historic parks and museums, be a patron to small businesses in historic districts, and look to “boomtowns” of the past when planning a vacation. An easy place to start is one of the classic road trips that embodies Americana: Route 66. The timing couldn’t be more perfect — 2026 is the Mother Road’s 100th anniversary!
• Inspire the next generation of preservationists
  Engage young learners in programs like Arizona Project Archaeology, a dynamic curriculum that offers virtual field trips to archaeological sites to 3rd–5th grade students, or the 2026 Preserve America Youth Summit that for students grade 8-12 who are interested in learning how historic preservation strengthens communities.

Arizona's story belongs to all of us, and so does the responsibility to protect it. Whether you spend this month hiking in Arizona’s glorious springtime weather, exploring a historic main street, or simply sharing the value of preservation with a child, every act of awareness is an act of stewardship. The past cannot speak for itself and that's why we must. This March, let's honor what has been left to us and commit to passing it forward: intact, respected, and alive.