The V-Bar-V Ranch was first settled in 1900. It transferred ownership many times and because the site was a ranch this incredible find of over 1030 petroglyphs was kept intact and safe from intruders. In 1994, the current owner, The University of Arizona, did a land trade with the federal government and the site became a protected area. It was opened to the public in 1996.
Most of the petroglyphs are located on one wall. They are believed to be carved by the Sinagua sometime between 1125 and 1400. The Sinagua were dry farmers and lived in pueblos. The rock art at this site is distinctive and unique to the area. One major distinction is the heron type bird that is quite common throughout the wall. While there is other rock art in the area, the heron is only found in the Beaver Creek (V-Bar-V) area. In the following the picture. The number 1 bird is thought to be a heron from a frontal view rather than the side view of the others. Interestingly, there are still herons around there today.
Another unique item to this rock art is that there are no overlapping elements. This is not common in other rock art areas. While there is no overlapping there is a great deal of connectivity. Archaeologists suggest that the lines indicate a history of events, clan migrations or the pathways of life. The frequency of connectivity is also unique in the rock art of the area.
One can pick out many different types of symbols. There are people, animals, and geometric shapes. Often in the Beaver Creek style of rock art these elements are paired, especially the animals and people.
The archaeologists studied the site daily for several years and after taking pictures every day they determined that it was quite likely that the site also acted as a solar calendar.
It was shown that on the March 20, the first day of Spring that the sun shown directly from a crack above on the first of three spiral shapes. The third shape had the sun shining on it on the first day of Summer.
Additionally the sun shown on the three tall corn like stalks. The first the third week of April, the time when an early crop of corn should be planted. The second, the third week of may, for the main planting of corn and the third the third week of June for the late planting.
I think its just amazing all that they know about these really cool rock carvings, but just think what they don't know yet! You can check out more information on this subject at http://www.sinaguasunwatchers.com/
6 comments:
Ah, very educational. Thanks for making me a little bit smarter today.
How does your brain hold this much info? Were you looking at the brochure while typing that post? Probably not, because after all, you are Tim's mom. He gets his brain cells from you.
I could lie and say I remembered it all, but then Sharon would call me out since I bought the brochure for this very reason. Actually I have very little brain capacity--I'll blame pregnancy/breastfeeding :D. BUT writing it out DID help me remember.
And I would have "called" you on it too :) Seriously though, I keep thinking I need to post a blog about the petroglyphs, but since you did such a great job, I think I'll just put a link to your blog for my readers :)
Sharon, I can't believe I 'journaled' something before you! How many times have I said, I'd just send my kids to look at your scrapbooks to find out what I did in highschool. :)
Hee-hee - way to go! I guess I better get on it and get the blog "journaled". . . I have written about it in my paper journal, so I'm not completely slacking :)
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