Los Robles Archaeological District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Los Robles Archaeological District
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Hohokam ruins at Cerro Prieto.
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| Location | Ironwood Forest, Arizona, United States |
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| NRHP reference No. | 89000337 |
| Added to NRHP | May 11, 1989 |
The Los Robles Archaeological District is a special place in Arizona. It is located within the Ironwood Forest National Monument. This important area was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 11, 1989.
The district covers a very large area, almost 13,000 acres. Inside, there are more than 100 ancient sites. These sites show us how people lived long ago, both in prehistoric times and more recently. Some of the key sites include the Los Robles Platform Mound Community and a type of ancient hillside fort called a trincheras.
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What is the Los Robles District?
The Los Robles Archaeological District is like a giant outdoor museum. It protects many different kinds of ancient places. These sites help us learn about the people who lived in Arizona thousands of years ago.
Ancient Homes and Structures
One important part of the district is the Los Robles Platform Mound Community. This was a large village with special earth mounds. People built these mounds for important ceremonies or as platforms for buildings.
Another interesting feature is a trincheras. A trincheras is a hillside fort or village. Ancient people built stone walls along hillsides. These walls might have been for defense or to create terraces for farming.
Why is it Important?
The district is important because it holds clues about ancient cultures. Archaeologists study these sites to understand how people lived, what they ate, and how their societies worked. Protecting these sites helps us preserve history for future generations.
Protecting the District
The Los Robles Archaeological District is a protected area. This means it is against the law to disturb or damage the ancient sites. The Bureau of Land Management helps to look after this special place.
Past Challenges
In 2003, a company caused a lot of damage to parts of the district. They used large machines to clear land. This action harmed about 270 acres of land.
Sadly, several ancient sites were damaged or completely ruined. This included parts of the Los Robles Platform Mound Community. Many protected plants were also destroyed.
The actions also made local water sources dirty. This was because harmful materials were put into the water. Even worse, many endangered Desert bighorn sheep were harmed, and some died. This event showed how important it is to protect these sensitive areas.
