VVN/Steve Ayers
State and federal agencies and the state archaeology society will be hosting a variety of events this month to raise the awareness of the Verde Valley rich archaeological heritage
Combine the fact that March is Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month and that few places in the state are as rich in reminders of the past than the Verde Valley and you have cause for celebration.
Which is precisely what Arizona State Parks, Verde Valley Chapter of the Arizona Archaeological Society Arizona, Coconino National Forest and the National Park Service are planning to do.
All four will be sponsoring events throughout the month and throughout the valley, designed to bring awareness and appreciation of the valley's past.
All programs sponsored by Arizona State Parks will take place Red Rock State Park. Events will include programs on prehistoric native skills, such as sandal weaving and fire starting, prehistoric trails and interpretive hikes explaining the Sinagua culture and local geology.
The National Park Service will sponsor events at Tuzigoot, Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well. Programs will include presentations on native plants, a guided tour of Tuzigoot with park archaeologist Matt Guebard and a moonlight walk at the Castle.
Montezuma well will host a Sunset-Moonrise Walk for a limited number of participants. Reservations will be required.
Ken Zoll, president of the Verde Valley Chapter of the Arizona Archaeological Society and amateur archaeoastronomer will sponsor a hike to visit the V Bar V Heritage Site's solar calendar, as the sun dagger appears during the vernal equinox.
The month's festivities will wrap up with the V Bar V Archaeology Discovery Days March 28 and 29 at the V Bar V Heritage Site. The two-day program will include interactive demonstrations on ancient technology, flint knapping, yucca fiber weaving, atl-alts and native foods.
Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month Schedule State Parks
Saturday, March 7, at 11 a.m. Red Rock State Park
Join Roy Juliano as he teaches about early survival methods used by the Sinagua more than 1000 years ago. Demonstrations include sandal weaving, fire starting methods (12:30 p.m.) and atl-atl dart throwing (1:30 p.m.). Contact (928) 282- 6907
Sunday, March 8, at 2 p.m. Red Rock State Park
A guided geology hike through Red Rock State Park. Learn why the rocks are red, where they came from where they are going and more. Hikers will goon the Eagle's Nest Trail, which provides a birds eye view of the park and surrounding landscape. The will take approximately 2 to 2 ½ hours. Contact (928) 282-6907
Sunday, March 15, at 2 p.m. Red Rock State Park
Jerry Ehrhardt will present "Soldier and Indian Trails of the Verde Valley." Ehrhardt is responsible for the discovery of over 125 new archeological sites in the Sycamore Canyon area. His discovery has also led to a "line-of-site' theory for habitation sites and a web of trails that helped connect them. Contact (928) 282-6907.
National Park Service
Saturday, March 7, at 2 p.m. Tuzigoot National Monument
"A Walk With an Archeologist' Join park archaeologist Matt Guebard for a stroll through the ancient hill top ruin and explore the history of its archaeological exploration and preservation. The program will last for about one hour. Please arrive 15 minutes early. Contact (928) 634-5564.
Sunday, March 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Montezuma Well
Join Park rangers for a fun and informative presentation look into native plant usage. Discover how native people used plants for medicine, building materials, clothing, food and even to bring rain. There will plenty of hands on activities and some short interpretive talks. Contact (928) 567-3322.
Saturday, March 21, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Montezuma Castle
"Moonlight Walk at Montezuma Castle" Enjoy a rare opportunity to visit the Castle at night. Ranges will have the ancient cliff dwelling lit up from the inside of the rooms giving visitors a chance to see how it may have looked when inhabited 700 years ago. Native flute music will add to the ambiance. Contact (928) 567-3322.
Saturday, March 28, at 6:30, 6:50, 7:10 and 7:30 p.m. Montezuma Well
"Sunset Moonrise Walk" Reservations will be required for this special opportunity to explore the hidden secrets and spiritual history of the sacred sinkhole. To reserve a spot please call (928) 567-3322, ext 30, on Saturday, March 21, or Sunday, March 22, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. space is limited. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early.
Verde Valley Chapter of the Arizona Archeological Society
Friday March 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. V Bar V Heritage Site
Join amateur archaeoastronomer Ken Zoll as he demonstrates his discovery of the solar calendar on the wall of rock art at V Bar V. Watch as the sun dagger points out noon on the vernal equinox. Zoll who is credited with the discovery of several sun calendars in the Valley will also proved a brief talk on the use of solar calendars by ancient people. Contact Ken Zoll at 284-1228
Coconino National Forest Red Rock Ranger District
Saturday and Sunday, March 28 and 29, all day
"V Bar V Archeological Discovery Days" Come and learn about ancient Indian Cultures and how archaeologist study artifacts, dwellings and rock art. Take part in interactive demonstrations of ancient technology, weaving yucca sandals, flint-knapping, atl-atls and taste Hopi parched corn. V Bar V is located 2.5 miles east of Interstate 17 of exit 298, just past the Beaver Creek Campground. Contact Terry Green (9280 203-2909.
