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This is the largest known petroglyph site in the Verde Valley, as
well as being one of the best-preserved. Acquired by the Coconino National Forest in 1994, the
site is protected and kept open to the visiting public for their
enjoyment and opportunity to learn more about our national cultural
heritage. As partners in this effort, both the Verde Valley
Archaeological Society and the Friends of the Forest provide
interpretive tours and on-site management. The Red Rock Pass program
provides funding for the protection, enhanced amenities and facility
maintenance under authority of the National Recreation Enhancement Act
of 2005. This website is intended to provide the potential visitor with
background information about the site and its rock art.
A visitor center and bookstore, operated by the Forest Service and
the Arizona Natural History Association, is located about 100 yards from
the parking area.
The Beaver Creek Rock Art Style:
Rock art is one type of archaeological data
that can be used to identify prehistoric cultures and time periods.
Various styles of rock art have been identified, based on the kinds of
elements, unique elements, relationships between elements, and
manufacturing techniques. By making these observations, various rock art
styles have been defined for the prehistoric Southwest. One of these
styles - the Beaver Creek Style - has been identified through the
studies of rock art sites in the Beaver Creek area, especially here at
V-Bar-V Heritage Site. This research has resulted in the definition of
the Beaver Creek Style, which is diagnostic of the Southern Sinagua
between A.D. 1150 and 1400.
The documentation of the V-Bar-V Heritage Site has
provided important information for defining important characteristics of
the Beaver Creek Style.
| How To
Visit V-Bar-V Rock Art Site: V-Bar-V Heritage Site is
located 2.8 miles east of the junction of I-17 and SR179 (FR 618).
Watch for the entrance on your right less than one-half mile past
the Beaver Creek Campground.
Hours
are currently 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (entrance gate closes at 3:30
p.m.), Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday (closed Thanksgiving
and Christmas). |
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Guided tours are provided by both the Verde Valley
Archaeological Society and Friends of the Forest during these hours (petroglyph
area is fenced and only accessible during regular visiting hours).
Before visiting the site, please read the Forest
Service Guide on Archaeological Site Etiquette to help you
better enjoy your visit without causing inadvertent damage to the site
(written for the Palatki/Honanki ruins, but equally applicable here).
From
the V-Bar-V Ranch parking area: After parking your car,
take the maintained trail from the visitor's center and parking area
approximately half-a-mile across a flat field to the petroglyph area.
Restroom facilities are available at the visitor's center, and a new
vault-type toilet is available near the rock-art site. Please stay away
from the ranch buildings to the north of the parking area. Please also
leave your pets at home, and don't smoke - in this dry climate, the fire
danger is always high. Public water is NOT available - bring your own,
or you may purchase bottled water from the visitor's center.
Pets
are not allowed at our Cultural Sites.
For more information contact:
Red Rock Ranger District, P.O. Box 20429, Sedona AZ 86341, (928)
282-4119
http://www.redrockcountry.org
/recreation/cultural/v-bar-v.shtml
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