Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve
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The entrance in 2013
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 Location in Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3711 West Deer Valley Road Phoenix, Arizona |
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| Area | 47 acres (19 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 84000718 |
| Added to NRHP | February 16, 1984 |
The Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve is a special place in Phoenix, Arizona. It used to be called the Deer Valley Rock Art Center. This preserve is 47 acres big and has over 1,500 ancient petroglyphs. These are images carved into rocks. You can see them on 500 basalt boulders.
These petroglyphs were made by different ancient groups. These include the Hohokam, Patayan, and Archaic people. The carvings are between 500 and 5,000 years old!
In 1980, the US Army Corps of Engineers hired experts to study the area. This was before they built the Adobe Dam. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. It is also one of the Phoenix Points of Pride. Arizona State University's School of Human Evolution and Social Change runs the preserve and its museum today. The museum building was designed by Will Bruder and built in 1994.
Contents
Discovering the Past
In 1980, the US Army Corps of Engineers needed to build a dam. This dam was for flood control near the Hedgpeth Hills. Before building, they hired the Museum of Northern Arizona to study the land. This is called an archaeological investigation.
What Was Found?
Archaeologists worked for three months. They found many interesting things. The most important finds were the 1,571 petroglyphs. These were found on 579 different boulders. They also found places where people made tools. There were also old cooking pits and trash piles. They even found signs of farming and small stone rooms. All these discoveries help us understand how people lived long ago.
The experts studied the petroglyphs carefully. They found 37 different types of designs. There were 143 different styles in total. Most designs were lines or curvy shapes. These designs were photographed and drawn. Now they are even stored digitally. This helps researchers study them even today.
Who Made the Petroglyphs?
The investigation showed that three main groups made the petroglyphs.
- The Western Archaic Tradition made carvings from about 5000 BC to 300 AD.
- The Hohokam tradition made carvings from 300 to 1450 AD.
- The Patayan tradition made carvings from about 700 to 1550 AD.
The things found at the site tell us that people visited this area often. They stopped here on their way to other settlements. They would make tools, do special rituals, and stay for a short time.
The preserve was created through a partnership. The federal, state, county, and city governments worked together. After the archaeological digs, the Adobe Dam was built. It helps stop flooding from Skunk Creek. Today, the Flood Control District of Maricopa County owns the land and dam. But Arizona State University runs the actual preserve.
The Amazing Petroglyphs
The petroglyphs are the most famous things found here. They are between 500 and 5,000 years old. Rock art like these petroglyphs is very important. It shows us how people lived and what they believed. These carvings are one of the only ways we can see their art today. Other materials like wood or cloth have disappeared over time.
Because the petroglyphs are so clear, they are still studied today. Many were used for religious and cultural practices. This was especially true during the Hohokam Preclassic era (about 700-1100 AD). Their use likely stopped during the Hohokam Classic Period (about 1100–1450 AD).
There are many other petroglyph sites in the Phoenix area. This shows that the Hohokam people had strong ties to the land. Sites like South Mountain, Deer Valley, and Hayden Butte have rock art. You can even see Hohokam rock art on the Leonard Monti Trail at Hayden Butte.
Arizona State University's Role
Arizona State University's School of Human Evolution and Social Change runs the preserve and museum. Since 1994, the university has worked hard to protect this site. They also operate it every day. They help the public learn about the site in many ways. They also teach about the native cultures linked to the area. They do this through books, guided tours, and talks.
Working with the Community
Arizona State University has focused on six main ways to involve the community since 1994:
- Canyon Records: This company makes and shares Native American music. Since 2017, they have partnered with the university. They help create educational materials for the preserve. They share Native American art, music, and writing.
- Act One: This group helps schools get free museum visits. The preserve takes part in this program. They also offer special days for school field trips.
- Archaeology Southwest: This group explores the past by protecting sites. Their magazine is sold at the preserve. They also give talks about archaeology and research.
- Arizona Master Naturalist: This group trains volunteers who know a lot about nature. These volunteers help visitors at the preserve. They share information and help with education.
- Osher Lifelong Learning Institute: This ASU program offers classes for people aged 50 and up. The preserve hosts special talks. These talks cover topics like anthropology and archaeology.
- Girl Scouts of the USA: The preserve works with the Arizona Cactus-Pine Council. They offer workshops for Girl Scouts. These workshops teach about archaeology, preservation, and desert wildlife.
Museum Exhibits
Arizona State University and SHESC have created many exhibits at the preserve. These exhibits help teach visitors about the site. The main exhibit is called "Leaving Marks: The Rock Art and Archaeology of Deer Valley." It tells the detailed history of the site. This exhibit was made possible by a grant from the Arizona Humanities Council. Other past exhibits have included "Legacy of Landscapes" and "One World, Many Voices."
The Deer Valley Rock Art Center Building
The museum building at the Deer Valley Rock Art Center is special. Architect Will Bruder designed it. It was built in 1994. The building uses steel and concrete in a unique way. It is shaped like a boomerang. This shape is meant to connect the city of Phoenix to the peaceful preserve. The building has space for exhibits, teaching, and research. Thousands of people visit it each year. It also attracts people interested in architecture from all over the world.
Gallery
Hohokam petroglyphs and other items at the Deer Valley Rock Art Center
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Entrance
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National Register of Historic Places Marker
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A prehistoric Hohokam cooking pit
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A petroglyph
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A petroglyph with a spiral carved into it
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A petroglyph "scene" with two deer bumping heads (bottom right)
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The Hedgpeth Hills and Sonoran Desert viewed from the center
