nazSTUFF - Intuitive Hiker, Solstice Marker

Rascal Inquires, " If You Are Not Concerned About the Future, Then You Haven't Been Paying Attention." This, then is our advertising campaign, to contribute to your well being.

Intuitive Hiker Journal Reports

"Northern Arizona Experience" - CLICK ON ANY IMAGE for more information and design details. Make changes.

Dear Reader... This is an interpretive series of pages taken from the personal journal of Mr. JH Thomas. For over 25 years Mr. Thomas hiked, explored and photographed the limestone canyons and vicinity of northern Arizona. As a result he recorded several scientific "firsts" in archaeology regarding the activities of the ancient people we now call Sinagua. He also acquired some basic knowledge of local geology, the native plants and wildlife. It is a pleasure to present some of these observations in this format. Sincerely, John Vroom, Editor

Discovery of Ancient Seasonal Solstice Marker 01

As a result of many many hikes to this area, Thomas found this wonderful alcove. Throughout the year, in all kinds of weather, this became the perfect place to rest and have lunch. The real value of this place wasn't obvious at first, it just served as a nice place to visit in the midst of all of these ancient treasures. Read more below.

If you'll look again at the above photo of the basalt alcove you'll notice that the large center stone panel is covered with very old petroglyphs, archaeological artifacts. Here is a clear photo of that stone face. An interview, and a copy of this photo, with the chief archaeologist for Coconino National Forest provided an interpretation that these figures are probably from the Cohonino culture, even though discovered in a predominantly Sinagua place.

On the stone surfaces above these glyphs are three polished depressions, used hundreds of years ago by the people who lived here as grinding slicks, for tool making, etc.

Since Thomas sat here eating lunch on so may occasions he became familiar with the details of this place. He began to notice vertical alignments between the glyphs and the natural rock deformations, formed when the basalt was hot lava filled with gas bubbles, causing it to cool with the interesting tube-like voids. The Sinagua must have found them very interesting, particularly since they are near this large vertical crack in the rocks. Deep openings like this were often revered as sacred openings or connections with the spirit world. This could explain the pecked images.

Then, one day in January, he observed this!

The shadow of the noon sun was crossing the double concentric circle petroglyph. Was this a coincidence? What does it do on the summer solstice and on the shortest day in December? Was this really a seasonal solar marker? It would take a whole year of observation to know. The challenge was ON.

Continued on NEXT PAGE

More Info on our BLOG