Tonto National Monument, Lower Ruin - Roosevelt, AZ
N 33° 38.664 W 111° 06.976
12S E 489218 N 3722734
The lower cliff dwellings are the remains of a native American cultural site dating back to the period between 1300 CE and 1450 CE.
Waymark Code: WMZ79D
Location: Arizona, United States
Date Posted: 09/22/2018
Views: 0
The Tonto Basin, overlooked by the dwellings, was watered by the Salt River. It was a fertile area inhabited by groups of native Americans from the mountains to the north and from what is now the Phoenix area to the south. As this mix of cultures developed, farming communities dotted the basin floor, each separated by a few miles with farm fields in between. As the population began to rise the availability of flat land diminished and the later populations looked to the canyons for homes. This particular dwelling is on the east facing side of a canyon wall which provided more shelter from the sun and a good view of the canyon and their small farm fields on the canyon floor. For unknown reasons all the prehistoric populations of the southwest left around 1450 CE and abandoned their dwellings. The area remained unpopulated until the arrival of the current tribes, then the Spanish and Anglo groups. The lower ruin received some damage when the Anglo prospectors and ranchers arrived but enough remains to give an idea of the tough conditions those early peoples conquered and survived. These ruins, located in a cave and in a dry area, require little protection from the weather. Some effort has been made to keep a wall from collapsing, but the largest threat to the site is tourist related. The monument staff are present on site while the monument is open to assure no further inadvertent vandalism. Additional information is available through the monuments website: (visit link)
Type: Ruin
Fee: Yes
Hours:
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM everyday except December, 25th.
Related URL: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
Original photographs showing additional views of the Ruin/Remnant or even just its current condition are encouraged. Please describe your visit, especially if no additional photos are available. Did you like the Ruin or Remnant? What prompted you to see the Ruin or Remnant?
Recent Visits/Logs:
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