Hovenweep National Monument

The Hovenweep National Monument is located on the border between the states of Colorado and Utah west of the village Cortez. It was established on March 2, 1923 by the President Warren G. Harding. The National Monument consists of six non-contiguous areas with ruins of the Native Americans. Holly Canyon, Hackberry Canyon, Cutthroat castle and Goodman Point are located here in Colorado, Cajon and Square Tower in Utah. The office is located near the Square Towers.

History

1854 saw a Mormon expedition led by WD Huntigton the ruins of which, the Ute and the Navajo, were known at that time the Indians living there a long time. The term comes from the Hovenweep Ute language and means as much as Barren Valley. The term was taken over in 1874 by the painter and photographer William Henry Jackson.

The inhabitants of Hovenweep lived from about the year 900 settled by farming. In the largest part of the year very dry landscape of the success of the cultivation of the Niederschlängen in winter and spring and occasional thunderstorms depended in summer. To ensure the growth of plants, small dams were drawn across the irregular watercourses here as in the whole area of the Pueblo culture, from which the water was diverted to the arable land. A 23- year long drought that began after the tree-ring dating in 1276, made the cultivation impossible and forced the inhabitants of Hovenweep to leave their homes. The architecture is characterized by four square, round or semicircular towers and buildings, which are usually two to three stories high; the function is not clear. The actual Pueblos with their residential buildings were adjacent, they can be seen only as a pile of rocks.

Main group ( Square Tower )

In this densely located at the visitor center group we find the largest number of buildings, including about 30 kivas. The name derives from the square (square) tower near a small source. This group includes other buildings at the edge or slope of the canyon: Hovenweep Castle, Hovenweep House, Rim Rock House, Twin Towers, Stronghold House and Unit -type house.

Cutthroat Castle Pueblo

This group of buildings is just the beginning of a canyon downstream. The assembly comprises a larger number of kivas, where those were not the usual built in Cutthroat Castle semi- underground but on a boulder. Although not many buildings are visible on the surface, the Pueblo was relatively large. The Cutthroat Castle consists of the Kiva mentioned that, too, is but a peculiar solution, surrounded by a further room which was of reach beneath the rock through a crevice.

Holly

The group of buildings, named after a rancher and traders in the 19th century, consists of two complexes, the Tilted Tower ( Leaning Tower ) and the Boulder House ( rock the house). The first complex consists of a tower with originally several stories, but they were later thrown into the canyon, the building is on the edge. The Boulder House was also a tower-like structure with several floors. It is situated on a rock immediately adjacent to a Sickerquelle and was built in 1200, whereby one after another aufmauerte the individual stories from within. Access to the entrance was on the rock surface, can be seen on the simple steps.

Horseshoe

Here a tower with rounded walls was built, featuring sweeping views of the canyon, at the head of which he stands. The group also includes the Horseshoe House, which consists of four buildings, which together form the shape of a horseshoe ( Horseshoe ).

Hackberry

The Hackberry Group is located approximately 500 meters east of the latter group. There is a large group of buildings, of which only a building is well preserved.

Cajon

This Pueblo is located about 14 km southwest of the Hovenweep Visitor Center. It consists of several buildings, as usual, located at the top of a canyon, some located under a projecting rock. Even with the free-standing buildings rocks were used for stabilization. This is best seen in the round tower. In the Canyon the remains of an embankment of earth are obtained, indicating the importance of which had water and its storage in old times for residents.

  • Hovenweep groups
  • Twin Towers
  • Hovenweep Castle
  • Cutthroat group
  • Holly group
Cortez (Colorado) Ute people Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
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