Tonto II by danapommet

Photography • Historical • posted on Nov 10, 2009

Open full image in new tab Zoom on image

Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.

Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.

Description

Distance and rugged terrain isolated the cliff dwellings from the modern world until the mid-1870s when ranchers and soldiers came to the Tonto Basin. In 1906 construction began on Theodore Roosevelt Dam, bringing attention to the dwellings. The following year, recognizing the need to protect the sites from vandals and pothunters, President Theodore Roosevelt set the area aside as a national monument. During the early 1300s climate favored the people of the basin. Moisture increased farming potential, and plant and animal populations flourished. Then around 1330 a dramatic change occurred. The region became more arid - lowering water tables. The changing climate decreased farming and increased hunting and gathering, severely impacting the ecosystem. Competition for dwindling resources created stress among the villagers. As tensions grew, people left their smaller villages and crowded into communities on the valley floor. At the same time people aggregated in the Tonto cliff dwellings. Some built defensive walls around villages, while others built on defensible hilltops and in caves,like the ruins posted above. During the late 1300s resource depletion intensified, and populations declined. The 1300s were also marked by catastrophic flooding of the Salt River that destroyed lowland farms and villages. When the waters receded, many of the 100-year-old irrigation canals were undermined or destroyed, and hundreds of acres of farmland were useless. By 1450 those struggling to maintain their way of life gave up - and another migration began. Oral histories say this migration from Tonto Basin took their ancestors in many directions, guiding each to the place their descendents now call home. The cliff dwellings at Tonto National Monument are but two of hundreds of once-thriving communities in Tonto Basin. Preserved and protected, they stand as icons of people who flourished and struggled as their world changed. Info based on National Park Service materials. Thanks for stopping by, taking a peak and for all your previous comments and favs. Dana

Comments (19)

)

Richardphotos

9:51PM | Tue, 10 November 2009

very interesting reading and superb shot.I seen some back in the 60's on the old Rt66 but now the interstate bypasses them

)

mgtcs

10:05PM | Tue, 10 November 2009

Wonderful place, excellent description and perfect shot!

)

bimm3d

10:18PM | Tue, 10 November 2009

wonderful photo!!!

)

kbrog

10:20PM | Tue, 10 November 2009

Excellent shot! :)

MrsLubner

10:31PM | Tue, 10 November 2009

I'm assuming the darkened ceiling is from the fires in the area of the dwellings. To think that a community then of as few as 70 was a thriving community and that they managed to work as a village to feed and clothe the population is just amazing. Even with some villages being only 20 and some being as much as 300...nothing like our cities and towns now. You would think with the added numbers, we would be able to come together and do even better...but it hasn't changes at all, has it? Fabulous shot and history lesson.

)

0rest4wicked

10:43PM | Tue, 10 November 2009

Great narrative!!

)

blinkings

11:12PM | Tue, 10 November 2009

I guess building under there would really have helped regulate the heat.

)

bmac62

12:59AM | Wed, 11 November 2009

I try to avoid overusing certain words...but in this this case, the heck with it...this is fascinating. I've never known what happened to these people or why. Great post Dana.

)