During our early March 2020 trip to Sedona, Arizona, I took some time to explore a few Native American places including a Petroglyph Heritage Site at V Bar V Ranch. I started the morning at Tuzigoot National Monument and the Ranger there informed me about the Petroglyphs at V Bar V. I had not heard of this site but since it was close to the other spots I was exploring, I decided to check it out. It was an area connected to the Sinagua Native Americans and I was learning a lot about them on this adventure. V Bar V is about 15 miles from my previous stop at Montezuma Well and about 15 minutes from where I was staying near Bell Rock in Sedona.
Location
V Bar V Heritage Site is only 5.6 miles from Montezuma Well which I had just left but it took me about 15 minutes. It is in a more obscure place. You will follow dirt roads, narrow roads, cross cattle grades and pass over one lane bridges. At times I wondered if I was on the right trail, but an occasional sign let me know I was on the right road.
Information
At the V Bar V Heritage Site you will find a sandstone bluff covered with 1032 petroglyphs. These petroglyphs were the art of the Sinagua People who lived in this area between 1100 AD and 1450 AD. The Sinagua People drew these petroglyphs by pecking, scratching and grinding the images into the sandstone. This is the best preserved and largest petroglyph site found in the Verde Valley.
No one knows for sure what the drawings represent. They depict people, animals, shapes and more. There are some who believe that the geometric shapes and even squiggly lines may represent a way of tracking time or even a type of calendar. The Sinagua People planted crops and traded so they may have kept track of when to plant or trade. The sites’s interpreter at the Petroglyph site also mentioned that the Sinagua often depicted images in pairs that you may notice if you look closely.
The Ranch
Around the turn of the century, a cattle ranch built on this property and operated for almost 100 years. In 1994 this land was aquired by the US Forest Service and Verde Valley Archeology Society manage the site. You can listen to interpretive talks at the petroglyph site and there is a visitor center and small history museum on site. In 1907 a ranch house was built on site. All that remains is the massive stone fireplace below.
The Path to the Petroglyph Site
Once in the parking lot you will have no problem finding your way to the Petroglyph Site. Follow the entrance and within a few feet you will see a large fireplace appearing to be in the middle of a yard. The fireplace once was part of the ranch house. The path is to the left, there will be a sign also. If you look to the right, you will find the visitor center.
You will find the dirt packed path to the site easy to walk on. It is 1/3 mile. You can’t miss the site. You will come to an interpretive area and the petroglyph’s are to the left, behind some trees. There is a ranger there that gives an interpretive talk and answers questions.
Petroglyphs
Conclusion
I really enjoyed this adventure. The V Bar V Heritage Site is really a fantastic petroglyph site. It was a great way to end my explorations that day. I don’t think I have ever seen so many petroglyphs together. A definite must see if you are in the area.
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For More Posts on the Sedona Area you can follow these links:
Devil’s Bridge Trail, March 2020
Soldier’s Pass Trail, Sedona, March 2020
Great post 😁
Thank you!!
wow those are incredible photos. I love seeing petroglyphs! hope you are safe and well wherever you are!
Thank you!!! We are safe here in Iowa!!! Stay safe and healthy!!!
Thank you Madam for sharing yet another mysterious archaeological site in the USA. Neither imagined petroglyphs to be present there, nor did I feel that petroglyphs could be this “young”. Usually, petroglyphs are more than 6,000 years old.
The geometric patterns are quite strange. The site leaves more questions than answers. But digging up the answers is always exciting.. 🙂
Thank you once again Madam.. Wish you many more such Archaeological adventures..!! 😀
Thank you! The USA has a rather young history. When we went to Greece we were impressed how ancient the history actually was there. I agree that there are lotta on answered questions here and maybe someday they’ll find out more!!! Have a great day!!
As of now, we can say that USA is younger.. But, if we take into account the human migration into the Americas during the previous Ice Age, we can expect to discover quite significantly old civilizations in near future..!!
And Greece is <3 .. A Treasure trove of Archaeology.. 😀
Thank you Madam..!! Have a great weekend and stay safe..!! 😊
😊
Looks like a great site. We have a few hikes here with petroglyphs, but not nearly as many in such a small area.
I think petroglyphs are always so fun to see!!
Cool post. I photographed some last year near Canyonlands National Park (Newspaper Rock). The ones you photographed looks so much more eroded than Newspaper Rock.
I have not been to Newspaper Rock. We are hoping to go to Canyonlands this fall or next so I will have to check it out! Thanks for mentioning!!
This is so absolutely amazing. I love learning about this sort of thing.
I just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the Vincent Ehindero Award. I hope you will accept. Have a great weekend. https://moragnoffke.wordpress.com/2020/04/30/vincent-ehindero-blogger-award-no-2/
I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I think you very much for the nomination. I do appreciate it but I just have not been accepting awards as I had not had the before and turned down others. Again thank you so much!! Stay safe and have a great day! Lori
That is okay. No worries. I understand.
Thank you!!😊
Very interesting. I had never heard about them before but they’re great
I had not heard of it either so was glad I followed up on a recommendation!!
I have been reading through your Sedona posts, as we are planning on a 3 night visit next month (hope hope). Montezuma’s Well sounds like a great place to visit, as does Devil’s Bridge. We won’t want super hard hikes, but we want to see some sites. Any other suggestions or do you think these are two great choices? Thank you for your wonderful posts!
Thanks!!! I think those are great choices. The 4 Native American sites I wrote about I did all in about 5 hours. They were all pretty close together except Tuzigoot. Broken Arrow was a good hike also. I haven’t written about Little Horse Trail yet and Airport Loop, but they were fun. I really hope you get to go!!! I can’t wait to see your posts!!!!
Thank you! I made note of those you mentioned above. I am excited for a break! Keep those great posts coming 😊
Will do!!!
that looks like a fun place to explore!
It was!! Definitely off the beaten path!!
a hidden treasure…
a hidden treasure!
Fascinating post, those petroglyphs are amazing. What a great walk, wonderful views with interesting stuff to see on the way.
Thanks. I love finding these less visited spots!!!
Thank you! I really enjoyed it and am so glad it was recommended to me!!
Gorgeous. In my country we have only rock paintings. Sigh!
Have a good day!
Rock paintings are pretty cool too!! Have a good day as well!
It was perfect the first time. I learn so much from you as well! Keep it up great post.
Thank you!!