Deer Valley Rock Art Center

It was only in 1994 that the Deer Valley Rock Art Centre opened to public. This centre is under the Arizona State University's School of Human evolution and Social Change'. The land is owned by the Maricopa County which has leased it to the University.

The building which houses the indoor exhibits was built as part of an agreement from the construction of Adobe Dam in the year 1980 and the task was undertaken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Before discussing further about the Deer Valley Rock Art Centre, it is necessary to understand Petroglyph. A petroglyph represents markings carved into the rocks and the tool to achieve this usually is made of stone.

Some petroglyphs are as old as 10,000 years. The seat of Deer Valley Rock Art Centre is the Hedgpeth Hills. Over 1500 petroglyphs can be found on about 600 boulders at this site. The site itself spans over 47 acres and research is still on to find more.

The petroglyphs found here are believed to have been made by American Indians spanning several thousand years.

Petroglyphs are representations of beliefs and concepts which were held to be important for those who carved them. Some of these may also have religious significance. Occasionally, some of these petroglyphs may depict carvings in a series as though in an effort to convey some kind of a story.

Some other carvings also depict animals which are supposed to relate to hunting. The most important factor about petroglyphs is that it serves as a permanent record of people as well as their migrations.

The fact that the Hedgpeth site is at the confluence of different water sources and also facing the east (in the direction of the rising sun) must have attracted the American Indians. The factors mentioned having been held by them as sacred must have attracted people from different periods to the present site of Deer Valley Rock Art Centre.

The Deer Valley Rock Art Centre is the most ideal place to learn more about petroglyphs for your next travel in Phoenix AZ.

Deer Valley Rock Art Center Address
3711 West Deer Valley Road
Glendale, AZ 85308-2038

Contact:
Tel: (623) 582-8007
Email: N/A

Deer Valley Rock Art Center Hours:
October - April:
Tuesday - Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed Monday

May - September:
Tuesday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed Monday

Ticket Information for the Deer Valley Rock Art Center: N/A

Website: http://dvrac.asu.edu/