United States. National Park Service

“ Scant archeological evidence so far available indicates human beings were living in the Verde Valley over a thousand years ago.
These were industrious, sedentary Indians from southern Arizona who settled on the fertile river terraces and began farming. They lived a distinctly rural life, with no cities or large centers of population, in little villages of one-room, pole-and-brush houses. ”

“ As many as 200 persons may well have lived in the several house clusters. The castle could have accommodated 12 or 3 15 families (possibly 50 people) . These cliff dwellers lived through the peak period of Pueblo culture, producing stone implements, excellent turquoise and shell jewelry, cotton cloth (some of it elaborately decorated) , sturdily constructed baskets, and many other objects.
The pottery made locally, at Montezuma Castle and in the Verde Valley generally, consisted mainly of plain brown or red ware. ”

“ There seem to have been several reasons for the abandonment of Montezuma Castle and other pueblos in nearby areas. Those in the Flagstaff area, about 50 miles to the north, underwent depopulation sometime in the 1200’s, possibly as a result of a century of recurring droughts. There was continuous drought for 23 years, from 1276-99. It is thought that many of these people moved southward into the Verde Valley which during this period showed an increase in population. ”