Petroglyphs in the Sonoran Desert

Sears Point

Our 'day trip' from Wellton AZ  

Two miles of basalt cliff edges are filled with ancient art. There are more than 2,000 panels of rock art, with an estimated 10,000 petroglyphs elements. We were surprised to find so many in this expanse of desert with so few cliffs that became the records of the Native Americans ( and others)

(by the way, this trip is 'out of order' due to technology disasters!)

You can see part of the cliff edges that house the petroglyphs.

We were glad that our friends knew a trail 

that was easier than scrambling to the top. 

Thanks Jan and Harold for showing us the way!

I think this view looks like it was a huge amount of hiking to get here.

Yes, quite a bit of scrambling to get through all this!

Lots of animals.

Could this be a tally of conquests?

Harold wonders if this could have any connection to the Jewish Manorah.

Or could it just be a tree with roots?

On the right it looks like they are keeping a tally of something important.

(It looks like pretty jewelry to me)

Not all petroglyphs came from the Native Americans.

*****

Sears Point was home to many Native American tribes before the first Spanish explorers arrived in 1699. 

It was a noteworthy place on the Gila Trail throughout the Spanish and Mexican occupation of the Southwest.  500 Mormons  were recruited to the US army and they helped build a wagon road from Santa Fe to San Diego.

This passed along the Gila Trail through the Sears Point area.

It became an important travel route during the California Gold Rush of 1849-50

This route became part of the first transcontinental Buttterfield Stage and mail service.

Leaving Sears Point

Must stop to look at the crumbling structures

It seems the mud and straw bricks stand up pretty well,

not too sure about the roofing material.

A good day - will be glad to return!