The Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve, formerly known as the Deer Valley Rock Art Center, is a 47-acre nature preserve featuring over 1500

Hohokam Hohokam () was a culture in the North American Southwest in what is now part of Arizona, United States, and Sonora, Mexico. It existed between 300 and 1500 AD, with cultural precursors possibly as early as 300 BC. Archaeologists disagree about ...

Patayan Patayan is a group of prehistoric and historic Native American cultures in parts of modern-day Arizona, west to Lake Cahuilla in California, and in Baja California, from AD 700 to 1550. This included areas along the Gila River, Colorado River ...

, and Archaic

petroglyphs A petroglyph is an image created by removing part of a rock surface by incising, picking, carving, or abrading, as a form of rock art. Outside North America, scholars often use terms such as "carving", "engraving", or other descriptions ...

visible on 500 basalt boulders in the

Deer Valley Deer Valley is an alpine ski resort in the Wasatch Range, located east of Salt Lake City, in Park City, Utah, United States. The resort, known for its upscale amenities, is consistently ranked among the top ski resorts in North America. Deer V ...

area of

Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix ( ; nv, Hoozdo; es, Fénix or , yuf-x-wal, Banyà:nyuwá) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Arizona#List of cities and towns, most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona, with 1 ...

. In 1980, the US Army Corps of Engineers contracted Simon J. Bruder to conduct an archaeological investigation prior to the construction of the Adobe Dam at the Hedgpeth Hills. The petroglyphs are between 500 and 5,000 years old. The site was listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...

in 1984, and it was also listed with the

Phoenix Points of Pride The Phoenix Points of Pride are 33 landmarks and attractions in Phoenix, Arizona, selected by voters since 1992 to represent the city's best features for residents and visitors. They include structures, such as St. Mary's Basilica, the Phoenix Z ...

. The preserve and museum are operated by the

ASU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at ASU is the largest of the 17 independent school units at Arizona State University. Students majoring in The college make up 31 percent of all Tempe campus students. The college is home to three academ ...

's School of Human Evolution and Social Change. The museum was designed by

Will Bruder Will Bruder (born 1946) is an American architect. Biography Self-trained as an architect, Will Bruder received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, taking supplemental courses in structural engine ...

and was constructed on the site in 1994.

Archaeological history of the site

In 1980, the

US Army Corps of Engineers , colors = , anniversaries = 16 June (Organization Day) , battles = , battles_label = Wars , website = , commander1 = ...

contracted the

Museum of Northern Arizona The Museum of Northern Arizona is a museum in Flagstaff, Arizona, United States, that was established as a repository for Indigenous material and natural history specimens from the Colorado Plateau. The museum was founded in 1928 by zoologist ...

to conduct an archaeological investigation prior to the construction of the Adobe Dam at the Hedgpeth Hills. The Museum of Northern Arizona and in a project directed by J. Simon Bruder conducted extensive fieldwork and they discovered a wide variety of features and artifacts. Their fieldwork lasted three months and an archaeological report was published. Some significant findings include: approximately 1,571 petroglyphs on 579 boulders, ground stone and chipped stone quarries, cobble hammerstones, shells and bones, a single pithouse with 10 cooking pits and two trash deposits, a possible canal, agriculture evidence, several small stone masonry rooms, and a check dam. These findings along with excavation reports, maps, images, were published in the Digital Antiquity and then most recently posted in the Digital Archaeological Record. The site was listed on the

in 1984, and it was also listed with the

. Bruder concluded that there were 37 different types of design elements with 143 varieties present at the site. The majority of the designs were linear along with curvilinear abstractions. These designs were photographed, drawn, and later digitally documented which allows for close examination and research that continues today. The investigation ultimately concluded that the petroglyphs present relate to three archaeological traditions. These include the Western Archaic Tradition dating from about 5000 BC to 300 AD, the

tradition from 300 to 1450 AD, and the

tradition from about 700-1550 AD. The artifacts present indicate that the site was primarily visited as people through the area on their way to settlements in the vicinity. People stopped here briefly to manufacture tools, perform rituals, and stay temporarily. The preserve was created via a partnership between the federal, state, county, and city levels. After this establishment and the archaeological excavations, the Adobe Dam was given the clearance to be built as its purpose was to be stop flooding from the Skunk Creek located nearby. Today, the dam, land, and building are all the property of the Flood Control District of Maricopa County while the actual site is operated by the

School of Human Evolution and Social Change The Industrial Arts Building on the Arizona State University campus in Tempe, Arizona, later known as the Anthropology Building and now known as the School of Human Evolution and Social Change, was built in 1914. It was listed on the National Regi ...

Arizona State University Arizona State University (Arizona State or ASU) is a public research university in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Founded in 1885 by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature, ASU is one of the largest public universities by enrollment in the ...

The petroglyphs

The

are the most famous finds of the excavation were dated to be made between 500 and 5,000 years old.

Rock art In archaeology, rock art is human-made markings placed on natural surfaces, typically vertical stone surfaces. A high proportion of surviving historic and prehistoric rock art is found in caves or partly enclosed rock shelters; this type also ...

, such as these petroglyphs, is considered a meaningful social practice and provides extensive evidence of life and cultural values in the past. This is the only form of visual symbolism or mediums still left today as many other materials have perished with time. Because these petroglyphs are so visible throughout the site, they are frequently examined and studied still today. These petroglyphs were used for various religious and cultural practices primarily during the Hohokam Preclassic era ca. AD 700-1100 and likely ceased during the Hohokam Classic Period, ca. AD 1100–1450. Throughout the Phoenix Basin, many other petroglyphs sites are present, indicating a rich history of the Hohokam and strong connections with the land. The petroglyphs in the South Mountain and Phoenix area were used for ritual practices including South Mountain,

, and Hayden Butte. The Leonard Monti Trail in the Hayden Butte Preserve near Arizona State University features a large panel of Hohokam rock that visitors can easily see today. Along with this, individuals can schedule guided tours of the petroglyphs visible at South Mountain as they are located off the traditional trail and not as visible

Arizona State University's presence at the site

The preserve and museum are operated by, Arizona State University's School of Human Evolution and Social Change. Since 1994, the university has taken extensive measures to preserve the site as well as protect and operate it on a daily basis. They provide the public with numerous ways to explore and learn about the site. Along with this, they offer education about the indigenous cultures associated with the site through a variety of mediums including publications, guided tours, and lectures.

Community engagement

Since Arizona State University has taken control in 1994, they have made the site a community focus in six main focuses: #

Canyon Records Canyon Records of Phoenix, Arizona is a record label that has produced and distributed Native American music for 56 years. History Canyon was founded in 1951 by Ray and Mary Boley, who had opened the first recording studio in Phoenix, Arizona ...

: Canyon Records is a Phoenix, Arizona-based music store that has produced and distributed Native American music since 1994. Their partnership with the university began in 2017 with the goal to provide educational materials for the site. Canyon Records promotes Native American cultural and heritage and the site. They provide and continue to update many forms of expression including art, music, and writing sources # Act One: Act One is an Arizona-based organization that provides meaningful experiences to Title 1 schools that have funds for both educational culture and arts field trips and free museum admission with the Culture Pass program. The preserve participates in both of these programs and also offers specific days each month for Title 1 school field trips. # Archaeology Southwest: Archaeology Southwest is one of the most popular organizations that explores the past through a holistic, conservation-based approach, something that Arizona State University and the organization strive for. The organization's magazine is sold at the preserve and lectures are held by members of their team on topics of archaeology and research methods. The organization is also consulted by ASU when local research needs to be conducted. # Arizona Master Naturalist: The Arizona Master Naturalist Association (AZMN) provides natural resource volunteers who are skilled and knowledgeable about sites across the state. They provide the preserve with these skilled volunteers who provide education, stewardship, and information to the daily visitors. This furthers the preserve and the university's mission of education. #

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLI) offer noncredit courses with no assignments or grades to adults over age 50. Since 2001 philanthropist Bernard Osher has made grants from the Bernard Osher Foundation to launch OLLI programs at 120 univers ...

: The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is based out of Arizona State University and gives university-quality, non-credit classes for students 50 and up. Themed lecture classes are offered at the preserve and are specialized in a variety of cross-disciplinary studies including anthropology, global health, archaeology, and life sciences. These courses are led by graduate students and faculty during the fall semesters. #

Girl Scouts of the USA Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA), commonly referred to as simply Girl Scouts, is a youth organization for girls in the United States and American girls living abroad. Founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912, it was organized a ...

: The preserve is an official partner with the Arizona Cactus-Pine Council. They work with the organization to provide badge and patch workshops that focus on topics of archaeology, preservation, and desert wildlife. The main goal is to provide valuable, engaging, and unique learning experiences for girls in the Phoenix area.

Exhibits

Arizona State University and SHESC have worked together to provide numerous exhibits at the site that further enhance the educational mission of the site. The permanent exhibit, Leaving Marks: The Rock Art and Archaeology of Deer Valley, seeks to provide a detailed history of the site and the significance it has to the surrounding areas. This exhibit was made possible due to a grant from the Arizona Humanities Council. Some other exhibits that have been at the preserve include Legacy of Landscapes: The Art and Archaeology of Perry Mesa, One World, Many Voices: The Artistry of Canyon Records, Fragments: Piecing Together Southwest Archaeology, and Pieces of the Puzzle: New Perspectives on the Hohokam.

Deer Valley Rock Art Center

The Deer Valley Rock Center museum building was designed by architect

and landscape architect Christy Ten Eyck and was constructed in 1994. The museum was designed to represent unique architectural solutions combining design elements of steel and concrete. It is shaped like a boomerang as it is meant to symbolize connecting the city of Phoenix to the sanctuary of the preserve. It has space for ongoing exhibits, teaching, research, and presentation. Serving as a focal point at the preserve, thousands of visitors pass through it each year. It also attracts those interested in architectural design and landscape architecture from across the globe.

Gallery

petroglyphs and other items at the Deer Valley Rock Art Center File:Phoenix-Deer Valley Rock Art Center Museum-2.JPG, Entrance File:Phoenix-Deer Valley Rock_Art Center Marker- Petroglyph - 2.JPG, National Register of Historic Places Marker File:Phoenix-Deer Valley Rock Art Center- Hohokam Cooking pit - 1.JPG, A prehistoric Hohokam cooking pit File:Phoenix-Deer Valley Rock Art Center- Petroglyph - 3.JPG, A petroglyph File:Phoenix-Deer Valley Rock Art Center- Petroglyph - 1.JPG, A petroglyph with a

spiral In mathematics, a spiral is a curve which emanates from a point, moving farther away as it revolves around the point. Helices Two major definitions of "spiral" in the American Heritage Dictionary are:Sonoran Desert The Sonoran Desert ( es, Desierto de Sonora) is a desert in North America and ecoregion that covers the northwestern Mexican states of Sonora, Baja California, and Baja California Sur, as well as part of the southwestern United States (in Arizona ...

viewed from the center

References

External links

ASU Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve
– Center for Archaeology and Society {{DEFAULTSORT:Deer Valley Rock Art Center Archaeological cultures of North America Archaeological sites on the National Register of Historic Places in Arizona Petroglyphs in Arizona Archaic period in North America Rock art in North America Phoenix Points of Pride Pre-Columbian cultures Hohokam rock art sites Museums in Phoenix, Arizona Archaeological museums in Arizona Protected areas of Maricopa County, Arizona Native American museums in Arizona Arizona State University National Register of Historic Places in Maricopa County, Arizona