Topock Maze Archeological Site - Needles, CA
Posted by: 
DopeyDuck
N 34° 42.821 W 114° 29.947
11S E 729027 N 3844139
This unbelievable maze in the Aha Makav Valley is part of the spiritual portal to the next life designed by the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe. Access via dirt road off Park Moabi Road near Needles, CA.
Waymark Code: WM5N40
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 01/24/2009
Views: 30
The plaque is weathered and difficult to read. An excerpt is:
"Here, upon this land where you now stand, is the Topock Maze; indeed, a cultural site of much importance to the tribe. To this site the AhaMakav warriors returning home from battle first paused for purification before continuing home."
"Not a true maze, this site is a series of windrows carefully placed in an extensive geometric pattern. Today, the site covers about 10 acres. Evidence suggests that it may have originally been only one section in a group of nearby earth images and features. Sadly, important parts of the complex were destroyed by the construction of the highway. But whether or not the geoglyphs in this vicinity were associated with one another, this was clearly an area of symbolic and ritual significance."
Links for more information:
California Chronicle article (
visit link)
Old Drawings of the area "Mystic Maze of the Mojave Indians" (
visit link) and (
visit link)
Google Earth Satellite Imagery (
visit link)
Topock Maze Archeological Site ** (added 1978 - Site - #78000745)
Address Restricted, Needles
Historic Significance: Event, Information Potential
Area of Significance: Prehistoric, Native American
Cultural Affiliation: American Indian
Period of Significance: 1499-1000 AD, 1500-1599, 1600-1649, 1650-1699
Owner: Federal
Historic Function: Domestic
Historic Sub-function: Village Site
Current Function: Government, Landscape
Current Sub-function: Underwater