OCR Text |
Show Recreation-Touris- t Guide, May 1988-- 17 San Juan County provides an archeological prize amateur For the ar- cheologist, San Juan County offers the greatest research lab in all of the country. San Juan County, Utahs largest county, has about the lowest population density in the state. Getting away from people is as easy as taking a five minute walk. An area which had large concentrations of the ancient Anasazi, San Juan County remains a mecca for archeologists who wish to study both their habitational sites and rock art. Although the Anasazi were not as prolific in rock art as their poorer cousins to the north, they were exceptional architects and many of their homes remain much intact today, almost 700 'years after they disappeared. The place to begin is Edge of the Cedars State Park which has an Anasazi surface ruin and museum in Blanding. This fine state museum offers dioramas of the lives of the Ancient Ones, artifacts they left behind and a remarkable interpretation of their lifestyles. One of the finest collections of pottery of the Anasazi is found at Edge of the Cedars and a stabilzed Pueblo ruin on the rim of Westwater Canyon is outside. The ruin offers the visitor a chance to climb down inside a stabilzed and rebuilt kiva, the religous and ceremonial room of the Ancient Ones. State rangers are there to offer additional information and maps and brochures of the area are available. The easiest way to enjoy the archeology of the region is to take the Trail of the Ancients from the museum in Blanding. Head south out of Blanding 1 on to the junction with the Bicentennial Highway, SR-9about four miles out of town. Turn west on 95 and in 10.9 miles you will arrive at a turnout to the Butler Wash ruins. the arch are some petrolgyphs and footholds carved into the rock wall. Back on the highway, travel west about 10 miles to the Mule road Canyon ruins. A pull-of- f to the right leads to. these protected and stabilized ruins. These ruins were excavated walk The presence of two kivas reflect an active religious life among the people who lived here about 900 years ago. A tower is also noted at this site. (Continued on Page Please drive carefully while visiting our beautiful Utah The best burgers in the business. across slickrock leads to an interpretive area with a view across the wash to some classic Pueblo cliff ruins. These ruins were stabilized by the Bureau of Land Management. Just to the right of the viewer is a pothole natural arch in the sandstone. Inside FAST FRIENDLY SERVICE West Price Exit, Creekview Mall Price, Utah Walton Books EXPERT BODY WORK Free Estimates 637-102- Local Interest Items Ghost Town Books 8 Slickrock Zupons PAINT " The Big Log Trading Post Building " & AND BODY South of Blanding on U.S. 163 SHOP One of the Finest Privately Owned Displays of Anasazi Artifacts Franklin Zupon Owped and operated by Hugh Acton and Betty Gordon 801-678-23- 29 by Edward Abbey San Rafael & Canyon Guides Nature Guides Self Help Books Some ruins, such as Target House in Butler Wash, are relatively unknown and are mostly intact. Hucks Museum 18) a 5, short SR-9- 5. S US-19- A by the University of Utah in 1973 during the realignment of Owner and Manager East of Price P.O. Box 268 Reference Books Children's Books Learning Aids LDS Books & Tapes SPECIALORDERS For items not in stock 1187 East Main, Castle Rock Square Price, Utah 84501 (801) 637-864- 0 r |