THE COHONINA CULTURE
The indigenous peoples of the Southwest were here before the receding North American glaciers eight thousand years ago. Evidence of occupation in the Southwest are dated as early as 30,000 years ago.
The petroglyphic and dwelling ruin sites in this booklet concern the prehistoric peoples of the Cohonina and Sinagua culture in this area of northern Arizona. After WWII further archeological studies found their culture as a distinct branch of a culture known as the Hakataya, a Yuman word for Colorado River from which they spread out.
These nomadic people roamed the northern Arizona range during the summer months, trading, hunting, and gathering wild grains and herbs for food and ceremonial use. In the late fall they would move back down to the lower, warmer southern elevations for the winter (Verde Valley). The petroglyhic records at various sites incorporated clan identifications, hunting rituals, ceremonial rituals, initiation rituals and at some sites there are records of an event or 'way of the hunt'. Key Hole Sink Site has one of these 'record' glyphs.
The Cohonina and Sinagua built dwellings called 'pit houses' of logs and earth over an excavated hole and lined with branches. They were constructed much in the way of Eskimo Igloos, and hundreds of these dwelling ruins are scattered all over northern Arizona. I have noticed that these dwellings are usually built near a petroglyphic site, but not in its immediate vicinity. The forest is very rocky so you have to look carefully for a circular rock foundation at ground level.
Archeologists have found Cohonina 'Forts' built as a three or four room horizontal structure with roof entrances. One such structure may be found on Stigreaves Mountain and north of Flagstaff. The Sinagua culture occupied an area east of the San Francisco Peaks and lived much like the Cohonina occupying the areas west of the Peaks. Both cultures traded and intermarried, and both joined other southern cultures at Wupatki during the intense agricultural phase around 1070 AD after the eruption of Sunset Crater in 1068 AD. The ashfall caused by the eruption allowed longer moisture retention in the washes after rainfall and thus a boon to the early agriculterists. People from the Desert Cultures even came and brought their culture to the area (Ball Court at Wupatki).
Key Hole Sink Site
How to Get There
Park at Oak Hill Recreation Area south of Road across from Gate.
One of three sites in this booklet are the most accessable in the immediate area for visitors.
Key Hole Sink (formerly called Box Canyon), is a most interesting petroglyphic site, and seems to be a powerful religious and animal power site to the Cohonina People. There is not any evidence that indicates that many people actually lived at Key Hole Sink, it was a scared place for the Hunt and associated initiations of the clans. Surrounding this site for a radius of 15 miles are remnants of pit house dwelling foundations.
Cohonina Hunter's: Key Hole Sink ©1981 Claude M. Shawbell III
Private Collector.
After a 'hunt' the men would return to their respective family or clan pit house dwellings with their portion of the rewards. I still have not found a dwelling ruin in the immediate area of Key Hole Sink as of this writing. Various Clan symbols, and initiation glyphs are etched into the basalt at Panel A. Interestingly, a record of The Hunt is portrayed in Panel B. I first visited this site in 1973. In 1985 I accompanied American Rock Art Research Association members and spoke of my interpretations of this unique site.
Deer Hunt panel at Key Hole Sink Petroglyphic Site
In the above drawing are deer in front of an 'enclosure' symbol. This is on Panel B, and is a unique record of an instructional nature, 'how we capture the deer'. You will notice on your hike into Key Hole Sink how unique the geology lends to the ingenious minds of the prehistoric hunter's, and why this site held great spiritual meaning to the Cohonina people.
There is an energy here of the Animal Powers working, and I have no doubts that this place was most important in Ceremonial rites and the important hunting societies of the men, and initiation rites of young men.
Please do not attempt to make 'rubbings' or use shaving cream on these ancient records to enhance photography, as it damages the rock patina and glyphs.
Every year they would return to the high country and re-establish their encampments and rituals. The modern day Puebloean peoples, Hopi, Zuni, Acoma and Rio Grand are descended from these southwest Anasazi, Hohokam, and Mogollon Cultures.
- Location: NE1/4 of SW1/4 of SW1/4 of Section 19, T21N,R3E.
- Longitude: 112 degrees Latitude: 35 degrees
- Kaibab National Forest, Coconino County, Arizona
- Elevation: 7,020 ft.
- Geology: Volcanic Basalt with Iron Oxide Patina.
- Design Elements: Snakes, Deer, Lizards, Amorphs.
- Technique: Denting
- Dent Size: Shallow with tight Spacing
- Patina: Iron Oxidation on surface as evidenced by light brownish color.
- Lichen: Panel C.
- Weathered: Heavy.
- Vandalism: Some indication.
- Associated Artifacts: Obsidian Flakes scattered around immediate area. No Pottery shards found. No arrow or spearheads found.
- Cultural Features: The location in a natural box canyon formation, allowed the prehistoric Cohonina hunter's to drive large game animals towards its confines, thus entrapping them with a human chain across the entrance.
- Petroglyphic Record: Evidence that various clans used the site for game capture and ceremonial activity after the hunt.
a: Clan Glyph: Bear b:Clan Glyph: Snake c: Four Migrations Glyph d: Clan Glyph: Bear e: Enclosure Glyph with Deer. This glyph shows how the Deer were captured here..could be known as a Record Glyph. f: Sun Glyph g. Amorphic Figure Glyph. h. Whirlpool Glyph. k. Clan Glyph: Water Clan.
Spitz Hill Ruins Site
How to Get There
Garland Prairie Vista View has restrooms and picnic tables. Walk across Old Hwy 66 and approximently 50 yards into the trees are the Pit House foundation ruins level with the ground. Look for a circular formation of rocks that would be distinguishable from the scattered ones.
Three Sister's Mountain Site
How to Get There
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a half day excursion or more to hike up the mountain through Pinion and Juniper with no marked trail. Petroglyphs are at the very top, and hikers should take at least a quart, or more, of water each. Animal trails are useful to follow.
An ancient volcano, the mountain has eroded down to three peaks, of which the highest peak was used for ceremonial rites, e.g. sun watching, fire signaling, and for society and clan initiations as evidenced by the types of petroglyphs there. Approximently 200 yards down slope is a cave, whose rock formation is in the form of a lizardÍs head when viewed from below the slope, and there are many volcanic rocks formed by extrusion and erosion on the east side of the mountain that are so humanistic in form that one can not help but wonder, if they too, played a role in the religious ceremonies of the prehistoric Cohonina Hunter/Gatherer's.
In the period the Cohonina People occupied this area a large floodplain was present east and south of the Three Sisters Mountain. This land was rich with game and waterfowl. As you hike up the south face toward the top, try to imagine what the area looked like over a thousand years ago. Also, you will notice the unusual geological formations of lava from midway to the top. Three Sister's Mountain extruded lava as one would squeeze out toothpaste, and are many caves in and around the mountain formed by ancient lava tubes. You will enjoy a beautiful view of the San Francisco Peaks from the top.
- Location:NE1/4 of SE1/4 of SE1/4 of Section 24, T21N - R1E. Longitude: 112 13' 00" Latitude: 35 16' 30"
- Kaibab National Forest, Coconino County, Arizona
- Elevation: 7,643 ft.
- Geology: Volcanic Basalt with Iron Oxide Patina.
- Design Elements: Snakes, Deer, Lizards, Amorphs.
- Technique: Denting-Incising-Pecking.
- Dent Size: Shallow with tight Spacing 1/16"-1/8"
- Patina: Iron Oxidation on surface as evidenced by light brownish color. Dark Umber - Magnesium oxide varnish.
- Lichen: None on Glyphs.
- Weathered: Heavy
- Vandalism: Return trips have noticed recent occurrences.
- Historic Graffi: 1. Roy Kilgore, Oct.1,1898 2. Bob DeVaney was Here 1956.
- Associated Artifacts: Obsidian Flakes scattered around immediate area. Pottery (Tsegi Orange) shards found. Rhyolite Scrapers and Spearheads found. No Arrowheads found.
- Cultural Features: The natural formation of volcanic extrusions and lava caves were incorporated into ceremonial use.
- Petroglyphic Record: Many glyphs are of ceremonial nature, e.g. human-like figures with masks(amorphs), hands, snakes and 'locators' to ceremonial Lizard Head Cave.
a.Amorphic Figure b. Locator signs c. Large Locator: This important glyph was above Lizard Head Cave.d. Hand e.Snake f.Enclosure glyph g.Amorphic Figures-Man & Woman h. Snake j.Amorphic Figure-Priest / Medicine Man k. Amorphic Figure.
Places to Visit
Museum of Northern Arizona
North Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff, Az.
Wapatki National Monument
North Hwy 89 - 30mi north of Flagstaff, Az.
Walnut Canyon National Monument
Exit 203 - Interstate 40 - Flagstaff, Az.
Tuzigoot National Monument
Cottonwood, Az.
Elden Pueblo Archeological Site
East Old Route 66, Flagstaff, Az
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Books to Read
Those Who Came Before
Robert H. Lister & Florence C. Lister
Paperbound Edition: Southwest Parks and Monuments Association
Globe, Arizona
LBC No. 83-60100
Indian Rock Art of the Southwest
Polly Schaafsma
School of American Research
Santa Fe, New Mexico
LBC No. 79-9127
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Keyhole Sink Petroglyphs
Northern Arizona
Contact Claude
