And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
History Enscribed on Sandstone
Walls Above a New Mexico
Watering Hole
http://www.sltrib.com/1999/feb/02071999/travel/80453.htm
BY WILL OKUN
GALLUP INDEPENDENT
RAMAH, N.M. -- Travelers have always been attracted to El
Morro.
Indians, Spanish explorers and American expeditions all used
the rare water hole as a resting spot in their travels through this
arid region.
Last year, 80,000 people visited the national monument to
enjoy the area's beauty and examine the paintings and messages
left by their predecessors.
Located in western New Mexico, about 45 miles south of
Gallup, El Morro is a white-sandstone bluff that stretches 200
feet high. The all-important 200,000-gallon water hole is at the
base.
However, El Morro's major distinction results from the
thousands of historical drawings and signatures carved into the
sandstone sides of the bluff.
The tradition of carvings dates back to the early petroglyphs
of the Anasazi Indians, ancestors to the Zuni. Attracted by both
the high vantage point (for purposes of defense) as well as the
available water supply, the Anaszi -- known as master builders --
constructed an 875-room pueblo atop El Morro in the 13th
century.
One corner of the pueblo was excavated in the 1950s and the
ruins are available for public viewing. The site is indeed
intriguing and well-worth the mile hike to the top of the bluff.
Although the Anasazi abandoned the pueblo after only 50 or
60 years, the site remains sacred to the Zuni people, who call it
A'ts'ina, or "place of writings on the rock."
Several Anasazi symbols and pictures can be found with the
help of a published tour guide available in the visitor's center.
Much easier to spot are the many messages left by Spanish
explorers, soldiers and traders, who could not resist the
temptation of casting their name in history. <<END EXCERPT
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Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit)
Unenh onhwa' Awayaton
http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/
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