A Small Site on the Verde

This little ruin overlooking the Verde River, not far upstream from Tuzigoot National Monument, is on land owned by Phelps Dodge and therefore not in my book. Remarkably, the cliff dwelling still holds a stash of prehistoric corn cobs, indicating that it functioned as a granary. The ruin also has a smoke-blackened ceiling and loophole (window) in one of its walls, suggesting that as small as the structure is, it may have been used for habitation as well. A couple of other small dwellings are also nearby. I would like to thank the people of Phelps Dodge for their total lack of cooperation and highly intimidating tone during my inquiries about this archaeological site.