Sedona AZ (March 3. 2012) – The Forest Service is pleased to be part of Arizona State Park’s Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month activities again this year. The theme for this year is “Connecting Past and Present, Celebrating Arizona’s Centennial”. Visitors will have many activities to choose from throughout March. The complete listing of events can be found at www.azstateparks.com/shpo/index.html.
The “main event” on the Red Rock Ranger District will be the V Bar V Archaeology Discovery Days – March 24 and 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Visitors will be able to observe and participate in a variety of ancient technology demonstrations. Activities will include: making fire by friction, making sandals using yucca fiber, firing pottery, throwing atlatls at a prehistoric fierce animal, talking to a mountain man, grinding corn on a metate, creating a pinch pot, tasting Piki bread and parched corn, and learning about local plants and wildlife. Visitors are also welcome to visit the ancient petroglyphs panel which has over 1000 beautiful artistic features. Forest Service personnel hope to share with visitors an appreciation for ancient cultures and how individuals can help care for these valuable cultural and natural resources.
Visitors may also want to visit V Bar V the afternoon of Tuesday March 20. Friends of the Forest volunteers will be presenting information about the ancient Sinagua culture and aspects of the V Bar V petroglyphs solar calendar, starting at 1:00 p.m. Shermane Frei will be speaking on “The legacy of corn” and Jim Wilson will be providing the interpretation about the petroglyphs and “Aspects of the solar calendar”. The Spring Equinox effect on the wall will begin at approximately 1:40 p.m. (if it is sunny).
V Bar V Heritage Site is located southeast of I-17 just 2 miles south of exit 298 down Forest Rd. 618. Go past the Beaver Creek Campground, over the bridge and turn right at the first driveway. All vehicles must display a Red Rock Pass or equivalent. Day passes are available for $5.00 per car at the site. Dogs are not permitted at the site. Bring water and expect to hike a little over a half mile on a gravel trail to the petroglyphs site. For more information concerning V Bar V Archaeology Discovery Days, please contact the Red Rock Ranger Station at 928-203-7500, and ask for Terrilyn Green.