Tonto Cliff Dwellings Guide: Tonto National Monument, Arizona : 11th Edition, Revised

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Southwest Parks and Monuments Association

Contributor:

United States. National Park Service

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Tonto Cliff Dwellings Guide: Tonto National Monument, Arizona" is a guidebook produced by various contributors, including Stephen Hutcheson and Dave Morgan, likely published in the mid-20th century. This work serves as a visitor's guide to Tonto National Monument, focusing on the history and significance of the ancient Salado people who inhabited the cliff dwellings. It addresses the environmental context of the Sonoran Desert and emphasizes the importance of preserving these archaeological sites. The guide offers detailed descriptions of both the flora of the desert and the historical and architectural features of the cliff dwellings. As visitors walk a half-mile trail to view the Lower Ruin, they are introduced to significant plants like the saguaro cactus and mesquite, which were essential for the Salado's agriculture and survival. The text recounts how the Salado villagers adapted their lifestyle to the harsh desert conditions, established their communities in natural caves for protection, and left behind rich cultural artifacts. It also highlights the mystery surrounding their disappearance in the 15th century, prompting visitors to reflect on the intricate tapestry of history, ecology, and preservation efforts in the area. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

Notes:

Reading ease score: 71.5 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.

Release date is 2015-06-11