When Diane & I were in Arizona last fall, we drove out to the Palatki Heritage Site just south of Sedona. It is one of several in the area, but because getting there was so difficult (OMG, the road, if you can call it that!) we only went to this one. It’s by appointment only and there are caretakers on site 24/7 to prevent damage to the buildings and the artwork. Sad, but necessary.
The eagle is a naturally formed shape and hasn’t been made by a person. The black is soot from fires lit under this rocky overhang to dry food items for storage. Probably also for story telling with pictograms and petroglyphs that basically cover the walls. Most they think were made by the Sinauga people who lived in this valley for about 200 years; from 1100 to 1300 approximately. Of course Sinauga is what the Europeans called them which means without water, but they had water enough to grow squash, beans, cotton and corn. When it ran out, they moved on, leaving their art and homes behind.
While the site is actively monitored it is not being studied since the current Hopi Nation leaders will not allow excavation or radio carbon dating or even much in the way of protection. In a way it is too bad since the artwork itself is being ruined by the thousands of cars and ATVs that carve up the valley sending dust flying into the air to be carried on the wind. Eventually it scours the rock and the fragile paintings as well. At this point many drawings can no longer be seen because of the dust and might be lost forever. Maybe one day the powers that be will allow cleaning and / or preservation, but for now they are open and vulnerable to 21st century technology.
Which is why I’m so glad I got to see and photograph them. Most are Sinaugua art which is only represented here; their pottery was undecorated. There are thought to be Apache motifs as well, probably painted later since the pigments are different as well.
Anyway…my blog post for this Sunday features more of the art and also the ruins of family homes on the cliffs.
Specific Feedback Requested
Not sure these belong in critique since there is no other way to shoot them, but I figured you could comment on processing.
Technical Details
Is this a composite: No
Handheld
Lr for all processing which was mostly to add contrast since the cliff walls are dusty.