Summer events at Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve
The mystery about why prehistoric people drew pictures on a basalt mountain in northwestern Phoenix continues to intrigue people centuries later.
To learn well-researched theories about what was carved in stone and why, visit the Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve over the summer. Docent Peter Huegel will share some ideas.
There's no definitive answer, he says, but certain things about the site yield clues.
"First, the mountain is andesite basalt, a form of volcanic rock, that is very good for shaping into food-grinding stones. So, people would have come here to obtain their ancient version of a food processor," Huegel said. "Second, a creek ran along the mountain and continued south toward the river. Therefore, there was a water source available while processing the food-grinding stones. Lastly, the area along the creek provided a natural pathway from the large village on the river, in what is now Phoenix, to the villages farther north toward Sedona."
There are two ways you can learn more about the petroglyph preserve, which is run by Arizona State University and formerly was known as Deer Valley Rock Art Center. The site has the largest concentration of Native American petroglyphs in the Valley.
• Sunset tours: On Fridays, July 10, July 24 and Aug. 7, visitors can walk the preserve's quarter-mile nature trail and see more than 1,500 prehistoric petroglyphs in late-day light. It makes for spectacular views and great photo opportunities.
During the docent-led tours, participants may encounter hawks, quail, squirrels and reptiles, and perhaps the more elusive coyotes, javelinas and bobcats. Participants will learn about the ancient cultures associated with the site and the archaeological research being done in the vicinity to preserve the past.
• Free Summer Saturdays: Admission to the preserve is free July 18, Aug. 15 and Sept. 19. There will be docent-led tours, plus lectures and presentations by experts.
On July 18, the schedule includes story time for kids, plus a Study of Ancient Lifeways and Technology Skills workshop, which includes instruction about the making of cutting tools, blades and friction fire. There also will be
Huegel will speak as part of the program. In July, he will give a a multimedia presentation about the animals that live in the preserve. In August, he will discuss desert plant life. In September, his topic will be "Rock Art: The Who? What? When? Where? and Why?"
Sherri Starkey, the preserve's operations coordinator, described what visitors can expect.
"Spend time in the museum gallery, located within a unique building designed by local architect William Bruder, to learn about the prehistoric cultures that traveled through this location for thousands of years," Starkey said. "Connect to the past in our garden featuring native plants similar to those used by prehistoric farmers. Learn about research being done on one of the most important plants to prehistoric and modern native peoples, the agave."
Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve
When: Summer hours are 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Free Summer Saturdays are July 18, Aug. 15 and Sept. 19. Sunset tours are 6:30-7:30 p.m. Fridays, July 10 and 24 and Aug. 7.
Where: Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve, 3711 W. Deer Valley Road, Phoenix.
Admission: $7; $4 for age 62 or older, military members and students; $3 for ages 6-12; free for age 5 and younger and for ASU students. Free on designated Summer Saturdays. Sunset tours are $4-$7 and include museum admission that day.
Details:shesc.asu.edu/dvpp.