Montezuma Castle
by Donna Kennedy
Title
Montezuma Castle
Artist
Donna Kennedy
Medium
Photograph - Photographs
Description
Original Fine Art Photography by Donna Kennedy...
As I passed through the Ranger Station I asked if it snowed here at the castle, and was told at least once a year, BUT it was very rare for it to stick to the ground. Snow was all around the walls of this cliff, except for this small area. The Sinagua Indians sure picked the best spot for protection from the weather when they built their homes here hundreds of years ago...Montezuma Castle National Monument, Camp Verde Arizona
This five-level, 20 room cliff dwelling Montezuma Castle nestled into a limestone recess high above Beaver Creek served as a "high-rise apartment building" for prehistoric Sinagua Indians over 600 years ago. It is one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in North America. Erroneously named for the 16th century Aztec ruler, the site is a classic example of the last phase of southern Sinagua occupation of the Verde Valley. Maybe early settlers, astounded by the sophisticated structures, mistook the dwelling for Aztec - and the name they ascribed to the "castle" still remains. Or was it simply a case of naming an impressive site after a famous name? Whichever the reason might be, as the oldest and best preserved cliff dwelling in the Southwest it is an impressive insight into the life of the Sinagua Indians who built it in the 12th century. A lot of questions will go through your mind when you look at the massive complex of 20 rooms that was built into a cliff high above the flood plain of Beaver Creek.
Thank You to the following Groups that Featured this photo:
-Beauty
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-3 A Day Waiting Room Art
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Uploaded
December 13th, 2014
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Comments (32)
Lee Craig
Congratulations on the sale! My sons went fly fishing right up the road from here...beautiful image, Donna! l/f/g/t
Jerry Bokowski
Love this POV from the Beaver Creek valley trees, Donna! The snow is just icing on the cake!....fav / like
Nick Boren
It looks like you were at some of the places I was last year dear Donna.. :-) I love this castle and isn't it such an amazing place to see and visit. :-) You captured it so nicely too.. :-) FV