At Tuzigoot, the flat, open area between rooms likely served as the hub of social and ceremonial life, much like plazas do in modern Hopi society, where they are central to community life, tie people together, and provide a place where food and goods are freely shared. Plazas and the ceremonies held there have helped Hopi people maintain cultural identity and cohesiveness over centuries. Archeologists at Tuzigoot found many pieces of Jeddito yellow ware, a pottery type made only at the Hopi Mesas to the northeast, and these bowls indicate participation in a shared religion or belief system; during gatherings or ceremonies, people may have brought them filled with food as an offering. The room block with the pueblo's only exterior doorway opens to the plaza and may have supported community events through storage or preparation. The plaza may also have served as a community workspace or a place to meet travelers and conduct trade. Finds at Tuzigoot including painted pottery from the Hopi Mesas, seashells from the Pacific Ocean, and the remains of a scarlet macaw from Mexico show ties to communities far beyond the Verde Valley.