Archaeology of Range Creek

The Division of Wildlife Resources hopes to use the canyon as an outdoor laboratory where diverse scientists work together to further their knowledge in their particular discipline, thereby, gaining not only an understanding but also an appreciation for the interaction of each.

The archaeological resources of Range Creek are rich, abundant, and very significant. The entire area qualifies for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The sites are spread out over a very large area, and include scatters of artifacts on the ground, masonry granaries on cliffs, painted and pecked rock art, and stone circles on the ground where ancient pithouses once stood. The archaeology is scientifically important, but it is subtle, and not spectacular like other places in the region such as Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon, or Hovenweep. The sites are not always obvious, and many visitors will probably not even see many, but that does not diminish their importance to archaeological science. Visitors to the canyon should keep the following guidelines for visiting sites in mind:

Walls are fragile and continue to deteriorate — that is why they're called ruins. Climbing, sitting, or standing on walls, picking up or moving rocks compromises these sites.
Artifacts, where they lay, tell a story. Once they are moved, a piece of the past is forever lost. Removing artifacts or piling them up in a site destroys the story they can tell.
Cultural deposits, including the soil on an archaeological site, are important for scientific tests used in reconstructing past environments, such as the kind of plants utilized by the inhabitants of long ago. Adding anything (such as offerings, etc.) to a site destroys the dating potential.
Fire destroys prehistoric organic materials and destroys the dating potential of artifacts. It also damages rock art by covering it with soot. Absolutely no fires, candles, smudging or smoking in sites. Camping is not allowed on the Range Creek property, and is discouraged at all archaeological sites.
Drawing, scratching, carving, painting, and oil from even the cleanest hands can cause deterioration of the drawings. The dating potential is easily destroyed. Please assist scientists trying to unravel the meaning of the symbols painted and pecked on stone. Refrain from touching the rock art. Mindless graffiti destroys rock art and is disrespectful to contemporary Native Americans.
Fragile desert plants and soils that are part of archaeological sites are destroyed when you stray from the trail. Also, snakes and other small desert animals make their homes in the bushes, under rocks and in burrows; you may disturb them. Please stay on trails; they are there for a reason. Bicycles and motorized vehicles are not allowed beyond the parking lot.
Animals damage sites by digging, urinating and defecating in them. They can destroy fragile cultural deposits and frighten other visitors. Pets should be restrained and kept under control when in archaeological sites.

Enjoy the archaeological resources of Range Creek without damaging them. Remember that both state and federal law protect archaeological sites, causing damage to them could result in a felony prosecution.

Guidelines adapted from the Coconino National Forest Archaeological Site Etiquette Guide.