Cocoraque Butte Archaeological District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Cocoraque Butte Archaeological District
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A petroglyph on Cocoraque Butte.
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| Location | Ironwood Forest, Arizona, United States |
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| NRHP reference No. | 75000355 |
| Added to NRHP | October 10, 1975 |
The Cocoraque Butte Archaeological District is a special place in Ironwood Forest National Monument, located in Pima County, Arizona. It's like an outdoor museum filled with clues about people who lived there long ago. This important area was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 10, 1975.
The district is famous for several reasons. It has ancient ruins left by the Hohokam people, who were early inhabitants of the region. You can also find hundreds of amazing petroglyphs, which are ancient drawings carved into rocks. Plus, there's a historic place called the Cocoraque Ranch within the district.
Who Were the Hohokam People?
The Hohokam were a group of Native American people. They lived in parts of Arizona from about 300 AD to 1450 AD. They were very skilled farmers. The Hohokam built complex irrigation canals to bring water to their crops. These canals stretched for many miles.
They grew corn, beans, and squash. They also made beautiful pottery and tools. The Hohokam people left behind many signs of their lives. These include their villages, pottery shards, and rock art. Cocoraque Butte was an important site for them.
Amazing Rock Art: Petroglyphs
One of the most exciting features at Cocoraque Butte is the collection of petroglyphs. Petroglyphs are images created by removing part of a rock surface. This is done by carving, picking, or rubbing. The Hohokam people made many of these drawings.
These ancient artworks often show animals, human-like figures, and geometric shapes. They might have been used for storytelling, marking territory, or for spiritual reasons. Studying petroglyphs helps us understand the beliefs and daily lives of the people who made them. The ones at Cocoraque Butte are very well-preserved.
The Historic Cocoraque Ranch
Besides the ancient ruins and rock art, the Cocoraque Butte Archaeological District also includes the historic Cocoraque Ranch. This ranch tells a story of more recent times. It shows how people lived and worked in this area in the past few centuries.
Ranches played a big role in the history of Arizona. They were important for raising livestock and for the economy. The Cocoraque Ranch is a reminder of this history. It helps connect the ancient past with more modern times in the region.
