When Caroline zum Kolk, a historian and digital humanities project manager from Paris, finally set out on her long-anticipated journey through the American Southwest in May 2025, she carried more than just a suitcase—she carried years of curiosity, research, and a sincere admiration for the Ancestral Pueblo world. Yet what made her experience truly meaningful was not only the destinations themselves, but the preparation she had undertaken beforehand, much of it guided by Crow Canyon Archaeological Center’s extensive online resources.
Caroline reflects that Crow Canyon’s Webinar Series, far from simply filling gaps left by books or academic papers, offered a window into the landscape, the architecture, and the ongoing conversations within Southwestern archaeology and Indigenous heritage. Through a variety of artistic mediums and candid discussions, webinar presenters shared both the joys and the challenges of their work. Caroline found this openness particularly helpful in understanding the nuanced tensions between preservation, tourism, and research, reminding her that learning is an ongoing and humbling process.
Her itinerary was ambitious: Canyon de Chelly, Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde, and other iconic sites. Her visit to Crow Canyon itself left a lasting impression. Welcomed warmly by staff and surrounded by the energy of local children participating in educational programs, Caroline explored the laboratories, classrooms, and reconstructed dwellings she had previously only experienced virtually. Standing at the Pueblo Learning Center (a reconstructed 13th century dwelling) was a moment where virtual learning met lived experience. Visitors should note that Crow Canyon can only be visited by appointment. To schedule a visit, make an appointment online.
Throughout her travels, Caroline was struck by the region’s breathtaking landscapes and unexpected encounters with wildlife, as well as moments of quiet reflection. She also witnessed sobering realities: the visible impacts of climate change, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the complex challenges facing Indigenous communities today. These experiences deepened her respect for the care, thought, and humility required to preserve and understand the Southwest’s rich cultural heritage.
Returning to France, Caroline brought back not definitive answers, but new questions and a renewed commitment to learning. Her journey is a gentle reminder of how digital resources—especially those offered by institutions like Crow Canyon—can enrich our understanding of histories, cultures, and places, while also inviting humility and ongoing curiosity in the ways we engage with the past.
Photos courtesy of Caroline zum Kolk
1. Sunrise at Grand Canyon National Park
2. Architecture at Wupatki National Monument
3. Traces of the Chapin Mesa Fire at Mesa Verde National park
4. Corner and Centered Doorways at Pueblo Bonito, Chaco Culture National Historical Park