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The Mummy Cave in Canyon del Muerto, built around 1200 AD, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona.
Canyon de Chelly [pronounced d' Shay], although touted by some guide books as one of USA's must-sees, is in our humble opinion, a less-than-wildly exciting experience, though it does offer evidence - at a considerable distance - of primitive human habitation since 2,500 BC in the form of rock etchings and simple buildings, and is still a physical and spiritual home to Diné - the Navajo people.
A
collection of large and pretty canyons belonging to Diné but
administered by the National Parks Service, in Europe this would be
a major attraction, but here it's competing visually with Arches,
Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon, and it's just not in the same
league, apart from the ancient human structures - which unfortunately
range from difficult to impossible to approach closely.
The above picture was taken by telephoto lens from 1,000 ft up on
the canyon rim. Canyon de Chelly tourism basically involves drives
around the north and south canyon rims and one strenuous hike down
the White House Trail. The White House - so called due to its white,
plastered internal walls - can be approached via the 2.5 mile [4km],
2 hour round trip trail dropping 500ft from the canyon rim to the
floor, but it cannot be entered.
The
area's first inhabitants were seasonal visitors, then came the Basketmakers
from about 200 BC - 750 AD, who started farming the fertile land.
From 750 AD - 1300 the Pueblo created villages here, metamorphosing
into Hopi from 1300-1600, who were then replaced by the Navajo in
1700.
Spanish and Mexican troops tried to dislodge the Navajo from the canyon
labyrinthe but finally U.S. soldiers under Colonel Kit Carson brutally
drove them out in 1864 and forced them to walk 300 miles to internment
at Fort Sumner in New Mexico. Many died on the Long Walk
and during four years at the fort, but in 1868 survivors were allowed
to return home.
White
House, Mummy Cave pictured above, Antelope House and other buildings
were constructed by the ancient Pueblo people and later occuped by
the Navajo.
Private canyon tours, hiking, horse rides and 4WD excursions with
Navajo guides can be arranged through the Thunderbird Lodge.
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