Petroglyph Point - November 2012

Here at Petroglypg Point in Prescott, a prominent granite outcrop contains over 100 petroglyph elements, with a nearby public trail. This site has been a popular picnic spot since the 1800's and contains the names and dates of those early visitors, as well as, a beautiful array of prehistoric elements.

And this was all within 100 feet of the road!

Montezuma's Well - November 2012

Montezuma's Well is near the Castle.

By the way, both of these sites have nothing to do with Montezuma, as was believed back in the 1800's. Montezuma never made it this far North.

From cliff dwellings perched along the rim to large pueblo ruins and an ancient pit house, the variety of these archeological sites is a testament to the ingenuity of these people.

The Well is still considered sacred by many local tribes.

The 74 degree water was the life-blood of the people. The water comes into the Well via nattual springs that do not feel the sting of the harsh Arizona droughts. Sections of this ditch date back over 1,000 years. THey built irrigation channels for use in farming in areas near the Well.

Early visitors did leave inscriptions, of course. And the waterfowl do very well here.

http://www.nps.gov/moca/montezuma-well.htm

 

 

 

 

Montezuma's Castle - November 2012

We had been to Montezuma's Castle 2 times over the last 20-some years, but a refresher (with a better camera) was a lot of fun. We got re-educated!

The main part of the Castle is a 20 room dwelling built into a limestone cliff. These were are hardy and innovative people, living in the desert and all that. In total, they have discovered 45-50 rooms in the ruin that was built by the Sinagua people who inhabited this riparian "oasis" along Beaver Creek for over 400 years.

Although the climate is arid with less than 12 inches of annual rain, several streams feed the Verde Valley where the Castle resides.

They grew the little eenie weenie teenie tiny corn of the era, and lived on that plus seed-foods and the fruits of the cactus. They were basically hunter/gatherers that also farmed.

The pictures below show the main Castle, ajoining ruins near the valley floor, the Verde River tht flows nest to it, and the model of the Castle with the front cut away to see what living there was like.

http://www.nps.gov/moca/index.htm

http://www.nps.gov/moca/planyourvisit/directions.htm