Ruins and Rubble

The value of a place is not always evident to the naked eye, as we saw today when we visited Goodman Point in Hovenweep National Monument and Sand Canyon Pueblo in Canyon of the Ancients National Monument. On the surface they look like piles of rocks, like I remember from back on the farm when my family piled up rocks we picked out of the fields. These piles, however are more significant. They are the remains of the walls, pueblos, kivas, and towers of a significant ancient American culture that once lived in the Four Corners region of the Southwest.

Goodman Point was the first cultural site in the United States to be given federal protection. This happened in 1889, when the General Land Office removed it from the lands that could be acquired through the Homestead and Desert Land Acts, setting it aside for the protection of significant archaeological resources. I could not find any information as to why this particular site was the first to be set aside, but because it was, it is one of the best preserved archaeological sites in the southwest. Most of it is unexcavated, but that can be a good thing, because it preserves and protects what is there. To the visitor it could be a let down beacuse you can’t see what it was, but at the same time you can’t loot or pilfer what you cant see. Therefore the artifacts and buildings are protected. What they have excavated to study, they have reburied. There is a spring that seeps out of a seam in the bedrock. This spring would have been one reason they built in this location, water is precious in this arid land

Sand Canyon Pueblo is just a few miles down the road from Goodman Point, and unfortunately has suffered the same fate: ruin. At least this village site has signs that interpret the buildings that stood where the rubble now lies. From the images on the signs, it appears to have been of considerable size, taking up both sides of the canyon. There was a spring at this site too, a common theme as to where villages were built. This location also boasts a commanding view of Sand Canyon beyond this point.

Are these sites worth visiting? Only you can decide. They are not the most picturesque, but there is history here, and I can respect and revere that. There is shade along the trail, and they are relatively easy hikes. We did not hike the lower Sand Canyon, where more intact cliff dwellings are located. We wanted to do that hike, but ran out of time and will have to save it for another day. I am glad we did them, if for no other reason that we were able to see one of the guardians or watchers of these places: the Collared Lizard. The males have coloring like a peacock feather and are native here. They are very territorial and hyper vigilant, always scanning their surroundings for threats or signs of danger. I consider myself lucky to have seen them three times since being here, or they must trust that I am not a threat! I was startled by a chipmunk who ran out in front of me, but this guy was very calm and just watched us.

Today’s arrival at Goodman Point was solely due to traveling within a few miles from it. Now, I still have the Cajon group to see and Hovenweep will be complete. I assure you, it will not be happening in the next few weeks.

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