Sedona News – The Coconino National Forest’s Red Rock Ranger District will host a Heritage Days event this weekend to highlight Indigenous culture at the V-Bar-V Heritage Site.
“Heritage Days” will be held 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. both Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17 at V-Bar-V, located at 6750 Forest Road 618 in Rimrock.
Participants will have the opportunity to practice pre-historic atlatl throwing, flint knapping and tool making.
Heritage Days will also give site visitors the chance to learn more about cordage and fire making, hunting technology, fiber spinning and textile weaving, split-twig figurine crafting, and rock art.
“We deeply enjoyed hosting our annual Heritage Days event prior to 2020, and we’re excited to bring this tradition back to the Verde Valley,” said Heritage Site Manager Nicholas Massoni. “This is a fantastic opportunity for visitors and residents to learn more about the Indigenous peoples who stewarded this land for centuries.”
V-Bar-V is the largest known petroglyph site in the Verde Valley. It features more than 1,000 rock art images – many of which are well-preserved and offer an insightful look into the Beaver Creek Rock Art Style.
Heritage Days participants will have the ability to learn more about rock art styles, as well as learning about the 3D photo documentation process of prehistoric sites, a history of the Homolovi area, details of the Native American Graves Repatriation and Protection Act, and the process of identifying traditional cultural property.
Heritage Days is being held in conjunction with Coconino NF partners, including the Arizona Archaeology Society’s Verde Valley Chapter, the Verde Valley Archaeology Center and Museum, and Friends of the Forest.
Participants need to have a Red Rock Pass or an interagency (America the Beautiful) pass. Passes can be purchased on-site for $5.
Participants are encouraged to pack water, snacks and/or lunch for the day. There will be no food vendors at the event.