Records on the Rocks

MONTEZUMA'S Head, a blunt peak resembling an Indian's head, is one of the most strik ing landmarks in the Estrella mountains, about 18 miles southwest of Phoenix. The Es-trellas abound in prehistoric sites, pic-ture writing on the cliffs and other re-lics of archeological interest. In the vicinity of the Head practical-ly all the large boulders have from few to many pictures carved on their sides. One lone human figure is depicted with a gourd rattle in each hand. One type of large figure made on a rectangular design seems peculiar to this area. These, apparently ceremonial figures, range in size from 20 to 38 inches, are adorned with headdresses and depicted holding gourd rattles, feathers, plumes and other articles.

It is supposed these numerous pictographs were made by inhabitants of the valley dating back to times before the coming of the Indians.

80, is remarkable for one of the most extensive collections of pictographs and hieroglyphs in Arizona, made by pre-historic people supposed to have lived in and near the canyon about 1,000 A. D. The pictographs are largely representa-tions of lizards, turtles and other crea-tures which played a part in the daily life of the long-vanished people. A sur-prising feature is the almost total lack of forms indicating deer or sheep, al-though it is believed these animals were numerous in the nearby hills and played a part in subsistence of the anci-ent inhabitants.

Outside the limits of the canyon and for a distance of approximately three miles between Litchfield Park and Citrus Park are many small sites indicated by shard areas where metates (corn mills) and manos (hand stones) are found. Until cut down in recent years this area for centuries carried extensive mesquite forests. It is probable

RECORDS ON THE ROCKS Strange Hyrogliphs Mark Arizona Archeology Picture Rocks

Cottonwood Canyon, a few miles northwest of Phoenix off U. S. Highway that the sites along the wash where these remains are found were once mesquite bean harvesting camps occupied by the canyon dwellers.

In addition to mesquite beans the brush in the open areas of the canyon yields a small acorn which could have been used for food. There might have been good fishing at times in the pools of the canyon. With several species of edible cactus and game in the mountains, the primitive inhabitants could have lived well nourished in the canyon for an indefinite length of time.

Chevelon Ruin

Chevelon Ruin, also known as Cakwa-baiyaki or Blue Running Water pueblo, is interesting as showing evidence of a considerable prehistoric population in this section of northern Arizona. It is located about two miles south of Havre, 11 miles east of Winslow and on the west side of Chevelon creek. The broken down walls of a number of ancient houses crown some of the adjacent hillocks and abundant pictographs are found along the walls of adjacent Clear Creek canyon.

The burials at Chevelon resemble those at Homolobi near Winslow and are similarly situated in regard to the Main ruin. Interments were found in largest numbers just outside the outer walls of the pueblo and at different depths. The mortuary pottery was like that found at Homolobi, yellow and brown were predominating.

Cliff Dweilings

Remarkable records left on rocks in Arizona are the many cliff dwellings. These prehistoric apartment houses were carved in rocky precipices, served as for-tified dwellings for their makers, and come down to us as record of an early Arizona culture. Notable among these are Montezuma's Castle, near Prescott, Walnut Canyon, near Flagstaff, and Betatikin and Kietsiel in the extreme northern section of the state.

The two former mentioned cliff dwellings are easily accessible to the traveler. Montezuma castle is located in the Verde valley off of highway 79 near Corn-ville. As it was evidently originally in-tended for a fort and castle the windows command a view of the surrounding country for miles.

Walnut Canyon, 13 miles east of Flagstaff on highway 66 and nine miles south of the highway on a well signed dirt road, shows evidences of a once extensive Indian village built under limestone over-hanging of the canyon walls.