These are the Face Rock ruins in Canyon de Chelly. I took this shot from the rim of the canyon to show the shear canyon walls, the area on the left where portions of the walls have collapsed to the canyon floor and the length of this set or ruins. There are ruins, in various stages of damage, all along this “cliff ledge”. Even though this set of ruins, were protected by the overhead cliff, the elements took its toll on these dwellings as did artifact collectors and soldiers. In 1864, Christopher Houston "Kit" Carson sent troupes into Canyon de Chelly to round up the remains of the Navajo Nation. After confiscation of their livestock and food supplies, 8,000 Navajo men, women and children surrendered and were forced to march or ride in wagons 300 miles (480 km) to Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Since 300 died, Navajo folklore calls this “the long walk”. In 1868, after signing a treaty with the U.S. government, these Navajos were allowed to return to a reduced area of their homeland, where the greatly enlarged Navajo reservation exists today. Thousands of other Navajo who had been living in the wilderness, returned to the Navajo homeland centered around Canyon de Chelly. Most of the ruins are fenced off and tourists are not allowed into all areas of the canyon. Since the canyon floor is controlled by the Navajo Nation, you cannot just drive or walk in. If you want to enter, using your own vehicle, it was to be 4 wheel drive and have a high clearance. Then you have to hire a Navajo guide to show you around. The National Park Service has flat bed trucks where you sit on benches or chairs bolted to the truck. This type of tour is called a “shake and bake” ride. The “shaking” of the truck on unpaved paths and the “bake” part is that you will be out in the blistering sun. There are also horseback tours. A little less “shaking” but just as much “baking”. Some areas of the canyon floor are privately owned. Some info from the National Park Service, Wikipedia and people I had talked to. From a scanned 1996 photo. Thanks for stopping by, taking a peak and for all your previous comments. Dana