Canyon de Chelly IV by danapommet
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Description
The Mummy Cave Ruins were built by the Ancestral Navajo Puebloans, in Canyon del Muerto, a side canyon off the main Canyon de Chelly. Again, taken from the rim, because the tours did not go into this section of the canyon. The ruins are located in two caves and on a ledge, in the middle of the cliff face, and with over 80 rooms and three kivas, it is one of the largest settlements in the canyon. The ruins are named after two mummies, found in burial urns, below the ruins. Mummy Cave ruins were discoved in 1882. It appears that it was occupied for about 1,000 years, from 300 to 1300. Note that the largest center structure is whiter than the rest of the ruins. This section was plastered over so it looks different than the normal clay color. The dark vertical stripes are called Desert Varnish.
A kiva is a room used for religious rituals, many of them associated with the Kachina belief system. Among the modern Hopi and most other Navajo Pueblo peoples, kivas are square-walled and underground, and are used for spiritual ceremonies.
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
Comments (27)
real cool shot. i see the ruins
Awesome shot! Makes one wonder why they built them up there. :)
Great shot and wonderful information
wonderful info and photo!!!
Does anyone else see a giant face in there :) Awesome Dana!
Yes!!!!! the face is in the middle..even has some hair falling onto his forehead...
Great shot and wonderful information !
I have heard stories of the rituals in the kivas. It is fascinating. So is this view of the ruins.
Yes the cliff is watching you, nice shot.
Wonderful scene.
I swear I see eyes looking back at me..... Interesting place and capture. Aloha
agree the eyes caught my eye, thanx for sharing picture and info
An amazing place. The two caves are wonderfully like eyes.
splendid panorama!!!
I do see a face in it too...great shot and information!
Wow gorgeous place and very nice shot!!
WOW...Great shot, wonderful place my friend, well done!
I was there in september, a really wonderful place. (the Best Western restaurant was fine !)
First thing I saw was the face. Amazing!!!!!
fascinating pic. i have seen pics of this site before, but not from this angle.
It looks like a face
SUPERLATIVE !!!
Beautiful work!
Great POV on this one Dad! Dedicated a whole summer to exploring the four corners area. Quit my job put everything in storage and went. Photographed many kivas none were square, very interesting.
amazing landscape and so interesting
First thing I saw was the face too. It seems to have a rather quizical look. Beautiful image and interesting info! Excellent detail and color!
Great series of this splendid canyon and ancient Indian structures.