Stories in Stone: Archaeology and Ancient Lifeways at Agua Fria

Join archaeologist Michael Kellett for an unforgettable day at Agua Fria National Monument— a high desert landscape that is home to over 400 archaeological sites and thousands of years of human history. Together, we will explore intricate petroglyph panels and a communal grinding site as we unravel the stories of a thriving community that lived in this area from A.D. 1250 to 1450.

We will traverse the desert grassland across an extensive mesa, cut by canyon walls and the Agua Fria River, while learning about the lives of prehistoric people who established extensive trade and communication networks throughout the mesas. This full-day field excursion offers a rare opportunity to visit a less-traveled site and discover the rich cultural landscape of the breathtaking Agua Fria National Monument.

Cost: $95

Location: The meeting spot will be sent a few days before the event. We will be carpooling to the archeology site.

Time: We will meet at 9am to carpool to the site, spend the whole day in the field, and return to our vehicles at 4pm.

Difficulty: This full-day adventure involves traversing off-trail for up to 3 miles in heat and sun-exposed conditions.

What to Bring: Participants should wear sturdy hiking shoes bring water, lunch, and snacks. The area is fully exposed, so please wear sun protection such as a sunhat, sunshirt, and sunscreen.

Leave No Trace: We will practice cultural site etiquette by leaving artifacts where you find them, not touching rock art, and not sharing location details. Click here to learn more about visiting archaeology sites with respect.

Michael Kellett has a total of 25 years of experience working with the BLM and Forest Service, including three years supervising the heritage program on the Prescott National Forest. After retiring from federal land management, he completed his MA in Anthropology (research) at NAU and has over five years of experience as a professional archaeologist. His archaeological experience has included inventory and recording of cultural and historic resources in Arizona, Nevada, California, Utah, New Mexico, and Oregon. His experience also includes pedestrian survey, excavation, and construction monitoring. In addition to these experiences, Kellett holds a red card as a fire archaeologist, fire-line resource advisor, and burned area emergency response specialist. He has served in these capacities on dozens of wildland fire incidents throughout the Western US for 24 years.

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