One of a group of panels which extend 360 degrees around a depression above a dry waterfall in the largest city park in the USA. Hohokam ca 1000-1200 AD. The arrangements make it clear that this is not random doodling.

[Scottnorwo]

Interesting capture and nice background story

[gor80]

history attracts. especially when you can stand next to it

[gildedfool]

It never ceases to amaze (and frustrate) me how images like this can survive in relatively great condition for centuries, but I still have to repaint my house every 7-10 years. Go figure.

[phoenixvision]

absolutely stunning capture...these are very similiar to hopi sketchings which are found throughout the west and southwest and down through Mexico to Central America...in the case of the hopi they are not random at all...each symbol conveys a message about tribal and family affiliations, direction of migration...and more....it is hard to believe they are more than a thousand years old and that well preserved.....is this panel naturally very well protected from the elements?

[Mikesul]

absolutely stunning capture...these are very similiar to hopi sketchings which are found throughout the west and southwest and down through Mexico to Central America...in the case of the hopi they are not random at all...each symbol conveys a message about tribal and family affiliations, direction of migration...and more....it is hard to believe they are more than a thousand years old and that well preserved.....is this panel naturally very well protected from the elements?

These types of panels and associated architectural remains are what got me back into DSLR photography after a decade or so of P&S. Something I neglected to mention in the original post is that houses of urban Phoenix are less than a mile from the site and you can see downtown Phoenix in detail form a nearby crest.

[slowpez]

It never ceases to amaze (and frustrate) me how images like this can survive in relatively great condition for centuries, but I still have to repaint my house every 7-10 years. Go figure.

Too funny. Interesting area the southwest. TFS the image and the information.