Canyon de Chelly Ruins and Rock Art

Canyon de Chelly is one of many locations in the four corners region containing Anasazi Ruins, pictographs (art work painted on rock), and petroglyphs (etched or carved into rock.) Antelope House Ruins was one of the first we hiked to in Canyon del Muerto (click to enlarge)...



... and it derived its name from the many antelope pictographs found there.


Standing Cow Ruins similarly got its name from the standing cow pictograph.




Ledge Ruins received its name from being up high above the canyon floor. Ruins can be of 2 types -- living quarters or simply granaries to store food safely from animals such as bears, from enemies, and from the weather.



These canyons are somewhat unique because of the lengthy habitation by the Navajo long after the Anasazi had abandoned the area, due, according to one theory, to prolonged drought. The Navajo also built granaries, though theirs were more rough-hewn structures, and their pictographs were more colorful. Also, since the Anasazi never encountered horses (which were brought in by the Spanish) these pictographs are obviously Navajo.


Turkeys were another favorite subject for pictographs. Experts admit that only the artist can truly explain the meaning of rock art, so though conjecture runs rampant, no one really knows what any of the art truly means.



White House Ruins in Canyon de Chelly is one of the most famous and derives its name from the white coloration of the upper structures.



Here's a close-up shot of the extensive stonework in one of the ground floor walls. Quite a design and construction project!




I must have a hundred or more photos of ruins and rock art in these canyons, but those above are a representation of all that we saw. This final photo is of a sacred place far into Canyon de Chelly -- Spider Rock -- an 800 foot tall sandstone spire...



... where according to Navajo legend, Spider Woman lived atop the spire and possessed supernatural power at the time of creation, when Dine (Navajo) emerged from the third world into this fourth world. She preserved their people, so the Navajo established Spider Woman among their most important and honored Deities. It was Spider Woman who taught the art of weaving upon a loom and through many generations, they have always been accomplished weavers.

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Photos of Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Poem "Spirits of Canyon de Chelly"

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