The Mysterious Desert Rectangle that Defies Explanation!

[@nateraff8708]

I've been to this site and puzzled over its origins too. A couple things i have found out in my research, up until the early 1900s there was a large lake on both sides of the sandstone ridge that the ruin is located on. You. An see some of the lake sediment layers in the drone shots. Also, the first white men in this area were with the Hole in the Rock Expedition, in 1879 i believe, and in their journals they mention finding a "fortress" on a ridge near the lake. There are ruins, rock art, and cowboy graffiti in alcoves nearby. The black rock is present in a layer several miles east, and another large ruin is built of it too, a lot closer to the source of the rock.

[@chiphazzard8173]

Wow awesome, thanks for sharing.

[@ZacCrosby]

This is the trail of information to follow! I just did some research to verify some claims. This canyon was Lake Pagahrit that was formed by a large sand dam that washed away in 1915. The ruins you went to were just a short distance away from the natural dam. It's also where the Hole In The Rock expedition crossed the lake, so they likely walked near this ruin.

[@ZacCrosby]

I make wooden 3D carved maps and was already knee deep in topographic maps and elevation data so it was an easy find once I found the original comment.

[@NK-iv1ik]

To the place surrounded by water, the materials could be brought by boats, the wooden posts (of those round holes remains) would be part of some king of lifting mechanism to bring the stones up to the top.

[@pacman8226]

What really puzzles me is the lack of debris inside the main walls. If that was natural deterioration then at least part of the debris would be inside. It almost looks cleaned out.

[@georgenelson8917]

I am a retired Archaeogist that worked in the 4 Corners area and Utah , this appears to be a unfinished fort with the long room being dry stone masonry stacked . On the outside it appears to be long piles of loose stones placed in storage lines waiting to be stacked in the walls. There is a long outer line of small stones and dirt not yet used in wall or roof . Navajos built later forts in 1700s and early 1800s. But as there are no artifacts to date it could be earlier. The stream below would be the living area the was occupied and an Archaeological Survey could provide dating potential material and features . The rectangular ruin was never occupied, so no artifacts. Yes, the point you found on the hike out was an artifact, you could have taken a clear flat photograph with a scale , or a coin or other object you know the size. Then look at an artifact guide book or chart to identify and date. However, it may have nothing to do with the ruin.

[@Budsport_TV]

What are those bore holes leading to the edge of the cliff!

[@441rider]

I have seen them in UK structures to make post secure points. Makes sense with fort thought.@@Budsport_TV

[@256Justinian]

i dunno why did u use an exclamation point and why do u worship Satan?@@Budsport_TV

[@RandomsFandom]

My guess is a fence post hole, or some sort of ladder or steps

[@fj40bryan]

Yeah it looks unfinished because the walls and piles of stones have a gap between them

[@dianadekin2135]

I am too old to do this type of exploration so having you do this and then posting so I can see it is so wonderful. Thank you so much for your efforts and for sharing. This means the world to me!!

[@PineappleSoysauce]

I just came across this channel and feel about the same! I'm in my 20s, but physically incapable of doing things like this, but this was so fun to watch. :)

[@hilbillie]

I'm with you on that. Very fun to explore but sometimes it is impossible ...

[@davidklein1667]

I'm 70 and I feel you sir!! To busy with work and kids back in the day. Now I have the time....divorced and kids grown.....but times been harsh on my legs.... I wanted to Thank You also!!!🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤😮

[@K1PPAH]

Thanks for being a content creator with actual substance on this platform, I enjoy watching your adventures❤

[@AngHemenway]

This has to be one of the most interesting channels on KZbin! Glad I found ya!!

[@michellelauer4212]

I think this hits the wild button in all of us thanks for sharing your videos!

[@Seoras111]

This looks like an unfinished structure to me. If it had "fallen in" then there would be loads of rock lying inside the structure, but that is completely clear. There is also a clear strip between the pile of rocks and the "walls". It is possible that people stood there, picked rocks from the pile and put them on the wall. Something like that. That's my guess.

[@stevecourtright7848]

I agree with your theory. It looks like the "fallen" wall would be a pile of material dumped there to be used in the actual wall construction. The actual wall is still in pretty good shape, but unfinished. From the overhead view it looks like this might be intended as a blocking structure to protect the rest of the ridge top. Especially since he said there is only the one way up. Maybe they were going to build a town or camp behind the rectangle but for whatever reason never got around to it. Or it could have just been meant for a seasonal hunting camp. Hard to say. The round holes suggest some sort of support poles, not sure what for. Also, that was definitely an arrowhead.

[@boossersgarage3239]

totally agree. looks like a pile of materials for construction and a trash pile... IMO

[@fennynough6962]

Not necessarily, [if a roof of wood]: (had fallen in there); & then subsequently eroded to dust.

[@ct5625]

I think you're skipping over the potential that this site was probably ransacked by treasure hunters in the 19th century. It was common back then. This site might be new to us but it was probably discovered by people back in the 1900s.

[@renebissonette7139]

If there was water in the canyon below then, this maybe a marker, it also reminds me of a cosway that would align with something in the sky.

[@SeMoArtifactAdventures]

Man that was definitely an arrowhead you were holding towards the end. It had the tip broke off and part of the base. You could easily look that point up and determine what time period that area was being used. That’s was definitely a strange spot.

[@snowmiaow]

Thought the same

[@fyisense9312]

@@snowmiaow same

[@robotpizza]

I was wondering how close it was to those "cow" bones he found.

[@fyisense9312]

It had the Clovis base which is very hard to achieve with "hammer" cleaving. I've never seen it done but I was told that they heated the near finished tool in coals and used a piece of round grass to drop water on the tool they were creating to "chip" it into the finished shape.

[@Bardmusic66]

@@fyisense9312there’s a guy that demonstrates making Clovis points by hand on KZbin

[@MimikaHaru]

This might be a long stretch, but those holes in the ground can be for support pillars for a walking deck to the cliffside for easy access for water or a way to get up there.

[@cameltrophy3]

That is so fracking cool! Your videos always spark conversations about "what if" or "maybe it was ______" for us. Here in the East Coast there are no deserts to find cool stuff like that in, so we really enjoy your videos.

[@Materialworld4]

Jeff, I have studied the history of ancient Britain for a good long while, and this one type of long rectangular processional enclosure in Great Britain Stands out as being extremely similar. The are known as Neolithic Cursus, and the most well known of these precessional is next to Stonehenge. The Stonehenge Cursus (sometimes known as the Greater Cursus) is a large Neolithic cursus monument on Salisbury plain, near to Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England. It is roughly 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) long and between 100 metres (330 ft). Theses processional long rectangles are ceremonial in nature, and I suspect the rectangle you observed today is of a similar nature, thus no artifacts. Figure out this sites alignment and compass bearing, it has the potential of being a celestial observatory. The people that lived in the Southwest long ago were keen observers of the Sun, Moon, Stars, and very specific objects like the Winter and Summer Solstice, The Fall and Spring Equinoxes Sirius, Orion's Belt, Canis Major, and so on. At Karahan Tepe and Gobekli Tepe, people were tracking celestial objects over 11,500 years ago, including the Winter Solstice specifically at Karahan Tepe. If you are interested you can watch the rays of the Sun cross the face of a stone head on the Winter solstice in 2022 for the first time in 10,000 years, at Megalithomania's KZbin channel. Whoever your friend was that told you of this location, I thank him and you for bringing to all of us this truly spectacular site, WOW. As for that feeling of being alone with nature, I know it well because I have photographed from sunrise to complete and utter darkness in the American Southwest with a huge camera, and the High Sierras, alone. Take Care Jeff, and say Hello to Anne, and her children. You made my Saturday Jeff, now back to Photoshop.

[@bethbartlett5692]

The height of the View, get's my Tummy. "a Shamanic place?"

[@LokiOdinson-fz8ps]

Ok but but what does brit history have to do with this site?? Oh yeah NOTHING. STOP BRINGING EUROPE INTO IT.

[@joycewinegarner9786]

What do you mean by "back to photo shop"? Just curious

[@anonymous_protagonist]

I believe you are correct! I just found the location, and calculated the sun path for it, and the orientation of the ruin along it's length precisely coincides with the position of the setting sun on winter solstice!

[@Graptopetalum]

I noticed this as well. It's occurred to me the cursus are similar in shape and size to enclosures in Saudi Arabia. However, I think both of those are a lot larger than this American structure. If there is a connection, it would suggest this much older than most the sites on this channel are claimed to be, something like 5000-6000 years. Then there's the matter of geographical separation.

[@jamesinoregon1081]

Starting at 6:07 it appears that those well stacked walls are a recent attempt at a rebuild. Where as the original walls are several feet outside of the new walls displaying typical entropy and decay in a chaotic fashion. The floor area between those new walls is basically broom swept which seems to support the idea that those new walls were an attempt at a rebuild and there is no mortar between the stones of the theoretical new wall. Just a thought. Thank you so much for sharing your videos

[@fergalohearga9594]

My thoughts exactly

[@Zero.0ne.]

To me, this is the most plausible explanation in the comments.

[@1mmickk]

Yes someone has reconstructed it recently as can be seen by the lack of weathering on the top layer and edges of all the newly stacked stones.

[@robertrosicki9290]

Your comment gets my vote . Two separate builds . The first ( outer ) much older and decayed and the second (inner) an abandoned tidy second attempt .

[@polarguyinak1]

I was going to add that the rebuild would likely have been halted when the water went away. No sense building a structure to defend water that's no longer there.

[@chuckzehnder-mq4pt]

You always keep me interested and often baffled. Keep exploring as it is the only way I can do it anymore - hiking and exploring vicariously through you!

[@sallyquinn9087]

Wow what a great sight! I was going to comment on the holes, and I’m glad I read the other comments because they covered what the holes could be. This is such a great forum for people interested in the ancient native ruins, and what great minds it attracts! Thanks to all for your input, and thanks Jeff for bringing us all this delicious discovery and discussion ❤

[@MariBuilt]

Perfect word for it ~ forum. What a pleasure this intelligent back-and-forth is

[@S-Jq8ob]

Hey, Jeff, I totally love your treks! The reasons why the ancient cliff dwellers did many things the way they did, may always be shrouded in mystery, since we can't ask them and this one is even more puzzling, than most! At first, one might think it was a building or fort, but that seems unlikely. I like to solve puzzles and this one is a challenge! After trying to come up with anything logical, I had to assume what it was built for had to be of great importance or help to them. If not for a dwelling, then I looked at the whole picture, especially with help of the 3-D, and actually came to a conclusion! My hypothesis is that it is a man-made waterfall! Of course, the stone rectangle wouldn't hold water, but it could have been built to hold SNOW and when it melted as the weather warmed, direct it down the sides flowing over the cliff edge making water accessible at the bottom. Look closely at the direction the rivulets would have gone, and the made-made holes placed down the side look intentionally deeper on the top sides, keeping the flows going down the natural cuts in the stone to one hole after another, as they are not in a straight line, but seem designed to use the natural crevices to flow from one to the next, so it would come out at the edge as a single water fall instead of the water just trickling down in different spots as it fell below! Please let me know if you agree.

[@THELASTJENNY]

Another great adventure. Thank you for what you do. I am always intrigued by what you present. May I politely request you make your videos a little longer? I always wish they were longer. I promise you, NO ONE will get bored.

[@MetalDetectingOutWest]

I mentioned a few weeks back you need an ebike, good to see you have one, saves you so much time. I have the Volcon Grunt fat tire electric bike, that gets me into places my truck will not. I also carry a DJI Enterprise Thermal drone in locating caves/ mines. Also a metal detector in my hiking backpack, never leave home without them !!! :) I have thousands of Archaeological Surveys from my area. You need to friend an archaeologist, who can access the state archaelogical surveys for that area/ utah, ect. You will be able to learn so much more about the sites you visit. Unfortunately the state museums will not just let anyone access these files. Great video keep em coming...

[@justindupre7274]

That little rock you picked up near the end was definitely flint mapped and a tool. I would say the dirt that was brought up there used was used to mud the walls. Thanks for taking the time to do this. You are creating quite the reference source for anyone interested.

[@sake343]

Very cool area, thanks for sharing. Those holes are odd.

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Yeah the holes are still a puzzle

[@gordslater]

One things that comes to mind is the neat wall is covered from view by the mounds of dirt and random rocks. So it could have been left like that as disguise from a distance, epecially when viewed from a lower elevation. Definitely, the "random" stones appear to have been sorted in some places the way a professional drystone waller (if that's a word used in the US?) would sort them for use. I wonder if the holes are post hole footings for lever poles used to haul sacks or baskets of rock and earth up. Basically, a tall pole has a long rope attached to it near halfway up at the 3 or 4 foot height.The post is pulled uphill at the top and the theoretical maximum 2:1 mechanical advantage aids hauling the sack/basket up the cliff face. The rope is then lashed to the next pole while the first pole is held in uphill position, and the next pole is pulled uphill. Using 6 feet long poles, the load would be moved a maximum 6 feet, though in reality, the poles are used at no more than vertical and pulled uphill to around 30 degrees using bodyweight, gaining only about 2 feet of haul per movement. But the mechanical advantage, which is probably more like 1.5:1 at best, can be useful.

[@dannybrowning7676]

I think the building was used for a vantage point. It could be that the buildings length was so that a person could walk from end to end viewing, the waterways on both ends in search of game without being seen.

[@1000YearHomes]

Thanks for the adventures and for being so respectful. It would be fun for you to do interviews with Ancestral Pueblo knowledge keepers.

[@jmcboo0208]

Exactly! I have suggested this on other great channels. It would sometimes be nice to have others join in the adventure, like an archaeologist, a historian, a member of a tribe that used to live in the area in ancient times, even a college student working on their doctorate or something. And sometimes a geologist might be good since there are so many fascinating formations in these videos. I'm not saying Jeff isn't enough, lol, just that he might occasionally find someone who would like to come along and provide an additional point of view.

[@mmichaels5345]

Could those "post holes" have something to do with how they got all that material up there? Weird. Thanks for sharing! I never knew so much of these ruins were out there. And to be there for centuries!

[@PoppabearsCave]

Came here to post that thought. Great minds think alike

[@FastLaneLyfe]

No those are core sample holes. Probably geologist research

[@user-lt3lm6me9k]

My guess is this is some sort of area maybe used for livestock. They could use them for pulling something up and out of the canyon. The rope/pulley system could have been strung on post placed in the holes in the rocks…. Or more likely this is an alien portal.

[@bugz000]

@@FastLaneLyfe core samples are much smaller diameter and tend to go much deeper, you don't need 4-5 inch diameter to sample strata, even a very narrow hole which could be drilled by hand is sufficient, however most survey cores are about 1-1.5 inch diameter to help the core stay intact...

[@angieb6173]

I thought the same thing, post holes for a pulley or cart system or some kind?

[@gino0009]

You are doing great work to record the mysteries of the U.S. and the natives cultures that they don’t even remember. Thank you good sir!

[@andrewl6899]

I was an anthropologist and studied a lot of places on Navajo Nation. I saw forts like this around southern Utah, New Mexico and parts of Colorado. The Navajo built rock forts as lookouts when they were at war with the Ute tribe incase the Utes pushed into the Navajo territory.

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Do you know what time frame that would have been?

[@katesutton1476]

Great explore. Looks defensive to me is my only guess. Great drone footage. Much luv Carry on

[@granddad-mv5ef]

I may be the lone dissenter; my feeling (and that's all it is) is there are TWO sites there. I get a sense of antiquity with the outer, "dirty" walls. And far less so from the inner "box" structure. The holes, at least in the video, appear to be circular.And, as you said, not steps. At least for us. I agree this place is a mystery, and possibly a continuing one. Thank you for bringing it to us!

[@TheTrekPlanner]

It does indeed appear to be two sites! That's something I wouldn't have considered until I saw your comment. The holes are intriguing! I'm still trying to figure out the purpose of those things

[@SteveDallimore]

I believe Europeans built the rectangular walls, using a technique called dry stone walling, re-using the larger rocks from an older structure. Both would have been used for the same purpose, for both observation and defense. The round holes are for posts, the highest one being the deepest, possibly as an anchor point for a rope.

[@CHDean]

Circular holes…difficult to create w/o modern tools?

[@trinidadscorpion3835]

Did you have time to explore the canyons around the area, either on foot or drone? That may help answer your questions.

[@melodymonger]

Truly amazing video, what a location. That stratified sandstone is so beautiful and the rectangular structure on the summit is just magical. I suspect that's part of the reason it was constructed there. I used to visit Neolithic stone circles in the UK when I lived there and you could feel the magic of those locations too. Thanks for taking us along for the adventure Jeff 😊

[@rogerprice5297]

Thanks!

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Thank you for supporting me directly through a super thanks!! -Jeff

[@davedodds5200]

I continue to be surprised that you don't carry a staff or walking stick; they're mighty handy in iffy terrain, crossing streams, steady a camera or binoculars, etc.

[@CharlesHillier]

Need a stick to whack along your path for snakes. Grew up with in NM, we learned that at an early age. Gives the snakes a chance to get away.

[@GinnyGibbs]

Guessing this was an enclosure for sorting sheep or capturing animals? The holes are perfectly circular but shallow, so any posts may have been held up by tension, maybe supported a brush screen. They could herd them up, force them into the enclosure on one side of the screen, sort or shear them and they exit out the other side of the screen. The dark rock looks like shale, had to transport it and the dirt up from below. What was the stuff you saw off in the distance in the canyon? Yes, those cross bedded sandstones are ancient sand dunes. Yep, that was a broken arrowhead or dart point. That bike looks like serious fun, and good job on the helmet!

[@joycewinegarner9786]

It just seems like a weird place to herd animals to... and the absolutely cleared inside of the rectangle, is kinda freaky. There should be SOMETHING there after so long.

[@Eyes0penNoFear]

​@@joycewinegarner9786I almost got the vibe that it was more of a jail. A few guards could hold a significant population there.

[@Bardmusic66]

Herding them up to the top of that Mesa would be a big challenge but other than the location of this structure I like your idea.

[@joycewinegarner9786]

@@Eyes0penNoFear That is also a possibility. Seems like it's pretty unusual... maybe some research to see if there have been any similar discoveries anywhere? Quite the puzzle. 🙃

[@jimhamman2335]

Great find! A couple of observations...This is clearly a defensive structure. It was built in two stages. The first stage included the smaller rocks mixed with soil, and the second stage was the large, flat stones. The side on which there is a diagonal wall with an opening is the rear (escape) side of the structure. The beautiful holes are not steps, they once held posts that were either used to steady people carrying rock/soil from the canyon below, or more likely served as a fence barricade where stones could not be securely stacked along the steep part of the hill. There is an amazing story here, as someone went to a lot of effort to build this fortification! Much more research should be done here!

[@XRinger]

I agree it was a fort. The narrow Maze-like path to get inside the Rectangle, are the kill zones for any invaders trying to get inside. Their flank would be exposed as the came in via the maze, parallel to the main wall, and likely in single file. A Choke-Point. "A choke point can allow a numerically inferior defending force to use the terrain as a force multiplier to thwart or ambush a much larger opponent" The Battle of Thermopylae.

[@justbob2133]

Or... Possibly a prison-type structure, where it would be easier to keep captured enemies/slaves in one location. Jeff said there's only 1 way up to the top. Place guards at the top and the bottom to maintain control.

[@williamwagner5693]

Loved this one! Those round holes are curious. Seem like post holes. I wonder how perfect the spacing is?

[@Bardmusic66]

@@williamwagner5693the spacing looked all over the place and the holes were not in a straight line but I think the holes definitely held wooden posts for some purpose.

[@ianwilkinson4602]

There is nowhere near enough stone for that purpose, to achieve a defensible height to the walls they would need to be much wider at the base.

[@cheryldueck318]

I always look forward to your videos each week! This one was interesting as always, but my favourite part was the drone footage of the whole area. How striking to have those gorgeous gorges on either side and this neat structure centred between them. The mix of close up and birds-eye-view (and now 3D!), really give a sense of place. You have definitely made me interested in an area of the world that was never much on my radar before. Thank you for all of the above! From a neighbour to the north 🇨🇦

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Thank you so much!! 🙂 It was a lot of fun to just see this area and explore it with the drone!

[@Khankhankhan420]

Those holes are for wooden posts

[@cjoneillj]

Great video and awesome adventure! Thanks for sharing 🙌🏼.

[@loa81]

I have been enjoying your adventures for a while now. The questions and curiosity you share with us , my imagination! The holes that lead to the cluff edge from the 'fort' look like post holes. I'm not an archeologist, but enjoy observing and musing on these mysteries. This is the second time I've watched this one. Here's a couple of my ideas about their existence. First, I'm thinking of a way to transport materials for building and supply for the place. From the cliff, the heavy rocks could be lifted by pulling and anchoring the ropes for the lift of water from the lakes that are now gone. A pallet lift for the rocks for the building? Maybe rafting across the lake and then a kid of pulley lift for people or animals? The black or basalt rocks you said seemed to be on one side of the structure may have been concentrated there for passive solar absorption in Winter. 'On the left side' did not give us a direction to really know. They also may have been chosen to offer shadow in camouflage to avoid skylining the structure for secluding more? I wonder if the structure was a storage or drying building? It would help to know the orientation of it all. Oh, well, thanks for the fun again! Keep on Trekking!

[@benmadderom2281]

It looks like the holes may have held posts, used to "fence off" that jutty, making the whole thing naturally fortified everywhere else... The posts may have just been pulled, or rotted out, or who knows? It also looks like there was an older fortification, then maybe something somewhat more modern (though still old to us) was built again over it.

[@FairyFrequency]

What a unique site! Thank you for taking us on another wonderful adventure. The row of holes cut into the stone is truly fascinating. We have found similar holes cut into limestone here in woodland of Missouri. They kind of look like core samples drill holes. As always sending lots of love and warm greetings.

[@jjames6990]

I would love to see a couple longer, "directors cut", videos. I'm sure there's a lot of dead space and silence during some of that time but dang man I just want to keep exploring with your vids. I keep shouting at you to go around a corner or turn around some times haha.

[@angelinajardean6484]

I totally agree…!!

[@jmcboo0208]

Yeah, I was shouting at him, too, to fly the drone higher above to see what is around the area! Like, if it is a barrier/defensive position, then there may be a flat area nearby where a group of people lived and were protected by those at the structure (and where you might fine pottery, evidence of fire, like soot-covered rock walls, etc.).

[@Lou.B]

Another great adventure! A few questions/observations: What was the compass orientation of the rectangle? (If E/W, the function may have been ceremonial, as opposed to a fort.) What were the round holes filled with, or were they simply dug to different depths, and did you notice any relationship between the size/angle/depth of the holes as they moved toward the cliff edge? It's a wild guess but perhaps they were scaffolding supports for hauling up the building rocks to the top of the cliff, from the construction 'staging area' at the bottom of the cliff?

[@jmcboo0208]

Lou.B, I understand why people are saying the holes may have held posts to help with hauling rocks to the top of the cliff, but what would they use for rope? Are there plants in the area (or were there plants in the area when there was more water) that could be woven into ropes? Maybe

[@StevenShelley-m6s]

Jeff You got that right that was a "petrified" sand dune.

[@lordkrythic6246]

I'll petrify your sand dune.

[@philipcallicoat3147]

No easy answers for this little site....🤔 It's definitely showing the hand of man....As for what, who and why????? Good job on your posts....😊

[@WormholeNavigator]

I have an anthropology degree. At first I thought this was a trap or corral. Now I think it was never finished. The piles are definitely separated from the walls making me believe that they are materials piles with room left to work. Something as simple as a 1 summer drought could cause them to bail on this spot. To me it looks unfinished and unused. The holes appear to pe post holes for something. Maybe a railing

[@kanamichelle7404]

At first I thought a corral for livestock too, but there is no food for animals there so they would have had to haul food to them every day, so I discarded that theory.

[@justbob2133]

​@@kanamichelle7404Possibly a prison-like structure to control captured enemies? Jeff did say there's only 1 way up to the top...that would make it easy to control access to and from.

[@pizzafrenzyman]

@@justbob2133 2 foot walls isn't going to hold any human nor animal.

[@pizzafrenzyman]

Consider that someone excavated it, stole the artifacts, attempted to restore it, then quit.

[@abelincoln5000]

I was thinking the same exact things: Broom-swept, railings, re-built walls!

[@artistmcbrown98902]

Great video! That definitely looked like an arrow head but broken. Thank you for doing what you do. Since losing part of my leg I can't get out into nature to do any field sketching or painting so I watch channels like yours to get new ideas to paint. Again, thank you.

[@TheTrekPlanner]

I am so honored! Thank you for watching! 🙂

[@williambyast7791]

The way the Stone has been formed is Amazing! Core samples!

[@anyascelticcreations]

I noticed the cleared center, too. And a small line just outside the wall, too. And there was something odd looking about it. Like it was recent or something. No morter was used. Yet the stones in the wall are still mostly horizontal. The stones in the pile surrounding the walls had that same look to them. They weren't horizontal. But they were still mostly lined up with each other, as if they had been put there in modern times. I don't think they fell from the wall. I think they were either put there to build up the surrounding area or they were brought as building materials for the wall, but no one ever finished the build.

[@SamwiseOutdoors]

I wonder if the prevailing winds are largely responsible for how clean the interior of that structure is. Like it's basically a canal for faster-moving air currents that help push the dust and grit off of that rock face.

[@jackiethorpe5866]

Hi Jeff, another great adventure. I loved that bike. I've never seen one like that. Would you tell us a little more about it? I would like to look it up. Thanks for taking us along with you!

[@TheTrekPlanner]

I don't know anything about it! Even after being home and doing research, haven't really found anything substantial. It seems to predate pioneers who traversed the area

[@amazinggrace5692]

@@TheTrekPlannerI think he meant to tell him a little more about the bike.

[@wyohorsenut]

Hey Jeff, love your show. That bone you picked up was a toe bone from a cloven hoof, animal cow, sheep so on. That was an arrowhead you had in your hand. Also the center of your rectangle is clean. The outside had all the stones. I’m wondering if they were hauling the stone up and stockpiling it waiting to stack it. Scratching my head as to what that is. Keep going we love to keep watching.

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Thank you for your comment about the bone!! Makes so much more sense that it's a hoof!! There are cows, deer, and big horn sheep in the area!

[@larsonfamilyhouse]

Whoa! Never looked up the toes of a cloven animal until today! Crazy!

[@Dee-c1e]

Thank you for posting this. Love the content 👍👍👍🙏🙏, stay safe.

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Thank you!

[@samuelplew5630]

This is great. I love old ruins and mysterious history. After 3 tries I finally made it to mesa verde last year. Enjoying your finds.

[@oldtop4682]

Near the end there you did find a point (arrowhead). The holes are almost positively post holes, and given that they are pretty much in line that would indicate a fence type structure with the cliff forming a natural barrier. I'm kinda leaning toward this being an animal enclosure, but it could serve multiple purposes. As for age, the only clue is the black stone that comes from a fair distance away. More modern ranchers and shepherds aren't likely to carry stone that far to build something like this. That points to an older construction with some importance tied to the black stone. Someone below mentioned that this might be an observatory. That could account for those post holes, but they are in a fairly straight line, so you are looking at one date. If you have enough GPS data you may want to see how the posts line up with a celestial map. The center being cleaned off is interesting. This site was probably looted.

[@forgingluck]

That e bike was cool, nice way to extend range on sketch roads without much effort! Those drone shots are positively epic, I love that.

[@_marlene]

yes, precisely what I thought as a hiker without 4wd! Great trailhead access. If I could stow *two* of them in my car, I'd really be set. You could take the thing half way up the dang trail and hide it.

[@gordygowdy7989]

does the bike have solid tires, so no risk of a flat tire?

[@eugenewall6620]

The holes look like post holes. The reason they stop at the cliff edge is because there was a palisade built to stop people from going around. The other explanation could be that it was used for housing animals and the holes were part of a fence to keep animals from going further out on the point, or maybe they were on the point, and the fencing kept the livestock from escaping. The point of land could have been an effective pen for livestock if the structure blocked it.

[@LisaKnobel]

My bet is it is astronomical in nature. The holes could have been for poles that marked the course of the sun over the year. Or, it could just be a corral. But, it is a really cool place to visit. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us.

[@debrawilson3840]

It's just fantastic!! Thank so much for peaking our curiosity!!! ❤

[@VermontScaleCustoms]

My guess is that the structure existed long before and someone attempted to recreate it. The stacked rocks look like they were assembled in a little more modern way than the previous ones. I assume the holes would be for fence posts. Honestly, this could easily be a settlement that was rebuilt by the Spaniards in their quest for silver. They may have the technological means of the time to bore perfect holes for posts and had more modern design techniques for stacking rocks. I don't doubt for a second that a structure existed there beforehand but I think what you see is a recreation of what was once there. Perhaps someone lived out there for a while and attempted to rebuild it? What a great mystery! It leaves just as much question as it does visible evidence of different eras of occupancy. Also, that was most definitely the base of an arrowhead. So, you found at least one artifact.

[@joycewinegarner9786]

I was thinking that maybe some of the sedimentary rock the holes are in merry have weathered and made the holes more shallow??? No clue if there would have been time to weather away very far... very curious indeed!

[@kayhansen9229]

Could a lake like that really have had fish in it if it had fish I would say yeah someplace to dry the fish. The arrowhead was really tiny like what you might stab a fish with. Black rocks brought by boat maybe? Edgar Cayce always says that the plateau was inhabited when the rest of America was underwater. Thousands of years ago. Post holes would have been muddy sticking posts in mud. Maybe?

[@MegaCharger9]

It could have be a couple of things. Long house? Defensive point? Or possible a pen? The round holes could have been made to put wooden posts into. Did the round holes extend down the other side of the structure? Did you find any other structures or ruins in the two canyons?

[@Adanjud]

Hi. I was going to mention the same idea that I found yours! I agree!

[@mbp7539]

It's white people, nothing says indigenous here.

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Hi! The holes just went down the east side of the rectangle. Nothing was on the west besides some stones that have tumbled down. I explored several caves in the area but didn't see any structures. I may have to go back because it's a fun area!

[@WasatchWill]

Years ago I mapped out a detailed route retracing the Hole in the Rock expedition route to hike myself from Dance Hall Rock to the fort in Bluff where the members of that party settled, including pack-rafting across Lake Powell at the actual Hole in the Rock site and staying true to the original route as much as possible. I haven't yet done it because the logistics between a shuttle from one end to the other and staging a couple caches along the way is going to be quite a chore. I figure I could do it in 10 days if no setbacks, but would still probably take 2 full weeks of work off just in case. Anyways...I had marked this site out on my route as something to check out on on my way because I too was very curious about it. Just goes to show if you wait on something like that and don't act sooner, someone else will stumble upon it and publish something about it. Anyway, given the history of the site, I assumed it was some sort of structure erected by the pioneers who camped out right along that spot for a number of days to rest and recover from their trek to that point given the oasis that spot had provided so I figured it may have been erected from sort of livestock purpose. Or, if the foundation of it was already there from a prior indigenous group for some other purpose, maybe the walls were rebuilt a bit by some of the pioneers as a way to kill some time while camped out there. I don't know. I kind of regret not making that trek happen last fall. Lake Powell was at an all time low level which would have made paddling across it much easier and faster and I'm thinking I might have been able to see Register Rock where some of the pioneers etched their names into a rock face across the river from the Hole in the Rock. It is usually submerged under water by Lake Powell when it is at average levels.

[@jeanf8998]

You will still do it!

[@MrLee-ue7iu]

The center area has been cleaned, and someone attempted to rebuild what was once there. Thank you for the adventure.

[@rosalindafaye5668]

Super cool place! Thanks for sharing

[@markmelni]

I truly think this was a animal catch. The lack of broken pottery, arrow heads and any thing that could indicate human presents would make this area easily traversed by wild game with no warning of Man. Secondly, if you look at the construction, the flow of the walls and the color makes it easy to meander towards the long rectangular enclosure. Once in side, the animals would not be alarmed, the expanse of the structure would lend itself to an open area, at least to the animal. The holes were probably filled with food that the local animals would be attracted to. They would follow them up to the narrow opening then there would be plentiful food spaced along the way into the enclosure. Once inside, there would be food scattered around and the animals would eat untill the hunters arrived. The structure on the left (with the holes on the bottom of the pic) really looks like a perfect way to trap animals. The color of the rocks are the same as the canyon, animals would naturally wonder (probably following the food/bait) into the maze and up through the hall between the sand stone and the black rock and enter into the enclosure. All the rock around the enclosure is sandstone. The enclosure is made of the harder dark rock. Obviously stronger and ready for the calamity of the slaughter. Anyway very cool!! Thank you for all these adventures!

[@markmelni]

I’ve found similar structures called ‘Desert Kites’ in Khaybar popular-archaeology.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/kites2.jpg - I don’t think this was a defensive structure - what would they be defending? I think the animals would have taken the high point of this area and walked right into this enclosure.

[@rockinrobinguitarsmusic5285]

I feel that was for sure a projectile point you found, and The holes could have been for a pole structure( mutually supporting), or just "Moki" holes since heavy loads of sand and stone had to be carried up. Also the multiple time frame usage makes sense... Oh well Thanks for bringing us along! Bart Wittrock

[@Vangent87]

That was 100% an arrowhead, those looked like holes for a fence post and would make sense if that’s the only side you can come up and why it ended at the cliffs edge. This was most likely an observation post for the army and an overnight stop for traveling troops which happened a lot back in the 1800s for them to feed and water themselves and their horses and gave a safe place to sleep.

[@lindaandscott6616]

Delightful trek! The white, pointed item, that you picked up and wondered about, ("a vertebra?") was the "coffin bone" from within the hoof of a cow, bison, sheep, antelope or other cloven-hoofed critter. The rock you found later, which you thought might have been a tool looked a lot like an arrowhead with the tip broken off. It would have been notched at the base, so thr user could fasten it to their arrow. One of the tails below the notch was also broken off.

[@paulthomas4402]

Great find! We have been hiking Cedar Mesa for at least 30 years. I am continued amazed about how much i have not been to. Great work.

[@AnyoneForToast]

Hi, England calling. I am familiar with dry stone walls, there are many over here. That site looks ancient, but with some large stones picked from the remains with which someone has made a very amateur attempt to rebuild a new wall within the old construction. About the original use, I have no idea, it may as well be on Mars to me. It's cold here, and will rain soon. All the best. 😀

[@maureencallahan1604]

Awesome mystery, it looks like the holes were probably intended to support posts probably for a roof or shade.

[@zippitydoodah5693]

Good thought

[@fennynough6962]

Yes, or possibly to support post, attached to a walkway.

[@kathietee291]

Jeff, thanks for your efforts to bring us another mysterious location to consider! Just please stay safe! We may never know who built this, or why, but it is definitely interesting to ponder regarding the early (or maybe, more recent) inhabitants of the southwest.

[@susanboender4598]

I am so happy that I came across your site! I am going to send this to my brother! Love it!

[@waterfall836]

Thank you for taking me with you. I loved everything. You are very courageous been alone in this journey.

[@DLPape]

The only thing that makes sense is an animal enclosure. They wouldn't likely stay in it like domesticated livestock, but ran up in it during the hunt, the holes or steps being so far apart indicates a running step. As you stated, there is only one way up, perfect for running a herd of deer or antelope up into. Not much else makes sense. Thank you for going there!

[@jmcboo0208]

DLPape, I guess I don't understand why some are suggesting the holes were steps. It didn't look like Jeff had trouble walking in that area without steps and I don't think they would have shaped steps like that (deep round holes). I was thinking post holes that have become partially filled in with dirt and debris. Too bad Jeff didn't try to discern the true depth of the holes.

[@jamesn.economou9922]

This place is great! Those circular cup shaped holes in the bedrock, are found all over the world. They were meant for something specific, but no definitive answer has been established. I love this stuff. Thanks for going there, and documenting this for us. Good job!

[@gregkerr725]

I was hoping that while you were there you would have flown the drone down into the adjacent canyons.

[@churro762]

I wonder if the holes down the side were coring samples? I couldn't tell if they looked machined... And the way the rocks were along the side almost seemed like they were picking the ones to use and tossing the others to the side. It was all very fascinating, thank you!

[@aldocastellon3739]

Great video. The bone you found at 3:53 is part of a hoof. Maybe a Longhorn sheep.

[@gon2westexas]

If the black rock isn’t from the surrounding landscape, it would have to have been brought in. That would make the structure unique, not utilitarian. What is the orientation of the structure?

[@budiprasetya]

I have a theory :) Looks like an ancient ceremonial place due to it's high location. The holes were for rope anchors for people to go up and down. Perhaps there are some living quarter in the canyon or nearby creeks. I know it's waaaaay too remote, but it would be interesting to investigate and search the bottom of the canyon for lost buildings. Love your channel!!!

[@CHDean]

Good observation…any remnants of living quarters nearby?

[@DonAshcraft]

Once in a Mesa Verde national Park speaking to a native American leader he told me how sick he was of anthropologists who couldn't figure out what something was for and the white anthropologist always called it spiritual reasons or ceremonial reasons. He told me they were no more spiritual or religious than modern man today. Some of us are some of us aren't and there was always an ongoing debate. We were standing next to an intact kiva the circular holes in the ground with an original roof still on it. He said every anthropologist he's ever talked to said it was for ceremonial purposes. He scoffed at that. And told me they were cool in the hot summer and they were warm in the cold winter. Just a different take. And how we should not impose our values morals and history on prehistoric mankind. They were just as smart pragmatic and practical and had disagreements about faith as we were.

[@kellykoeller5535]

I live in northern Arizona along the Arizona strip where there is so much to explore. I need a sweet bike like this! Think I'll start with Kanab Creek Wilderness area and go from there. Thanks for the inspiration and all of your exciting content!

[@Idellphany]

My first thought was, oo they just started building it!! Lovely find.

[@TheTedkorn]

Thanks!

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Thank you so much for your direct support!! -Jeff

[@manitobahunter7230]

I got the impression that the rocks and debris piled around the outside of the structure are placed there to camouflage the structures rock walls so that someone approaching would just see a more natural feature as they approached. I'd be interested to know if the holes are all much deeper and filled with sand or if they are shallow steps or notches and just the one hole at the top was deeper. If they are shallow it would indicate a way to catch something in, and deeper possible for poles, or again to anker something. The whole thing reminds me of a hunting ground blind, although I would think the animals would prefer the canyon below. Perhaps a defensive or ambush possition to catch unaware anyone trying to go over the hill top, so as not to be able to attack those living in the valley from the hilltop :)

[@jmcboo0208]

A couple of comments: I don't think the debris around the outside of the structure would have camouflaged the structure because it would have stuck out against the surrounding area. I don't think it blended in well. Regarding the holes, I think the holes were deeper but were filled in with a lot of sand and debris over time, and that they were for posts to support a barrier of sorts. As far as the animals preferring the canyon below, IDK, but what about mountain goats? Wouldn't they be likely to travel up that path? I totally agree with the defensive structure idea, to protect a group of people from invaders - you just have to find where the people's homes were, which shouldn't be hard to find if this hypothesis is accurate. My second choice would be a trap to catch goats in by luring them with food. Fun to ponder about all the possibilities, isn't it?

[@forestartists7526]

The Sasquatch make these rock structures everywhere! Wooded areas, desert areas, mountain tops, ledges, near lakes, rivers. Everywhere.

[@Sam97979]

I think it was a hunting corral to catch herded animals as they run down. You said in the video there's only one way up and down. But way back then they could've had a ladder or rope to get up the inaccessible side, then herd the animals to this spot.The holes were probably post holes for logs to go into to make a fence or wall. Then they could butcher anything they catch in there, or just take any that are unlucky and go over the edge. I don't know why one side was a rock building, and one side was wood, but I'm sure they had a reason.

[@tomc3026]

Man, oh Man! Just found your site and very impressed with what you do. Alone!!! Please be safe out there and perhaps a rope to add to your back? Love the bike to get you to where you're going so you can spend more time exploring. I'm too old to be creeping around the dessert but my spirit with you.

[@carolnixon733]

Wow, this is so interesting. You're doing what I would love to do. Love your videos.

[@Mr.Smith101]

I liked the video, because I can. :o

[@joycewinegarner9786]

Very curious... seems like it's maybe a defensive structure? I would expect there to be an area close by that would have dwellings for living in??? And, yes, that's a projectile point! Love your videos!!!❤❤❤

[@howardfreeland5595]

You were right when you said that it looks like a petrified sand dune. That's what is is. We geologists call those thin beds of varying direction to be "cross bedded" sandstones. You should study a Physical Geology college book! That would really add to your experiences! You could check with the State Archaeological Authority to see if they have any knowledge of the site. If they do, maybe you can learn it's purpose. If they don't know this site, maybe they would like to study it. They should be very interested in this video. I guess that goes for most of your visits!

[@llanitedave]

That's correct. Those sandstone layers are literally fossilized sand dunes. During parts of the Cretaceous and through even more of the Jurassic, the region was a vast coastal desert, very similar to modern day Namibia. It was a giant sand sea. At the same time, the crust was slowly subsiding, allowing the sand to accumulate to thousands of feet in thickness. Later, when the environment became moister again, ground water flowing through the sand carried dissolved iron or calcite or suspended clay, which cemented the grains together into rock.

[@zarasbazaar]

Thanks for sharing your adventure. I definitely miss hiking in the Four Corners region.

[@_marlene]

truly amazing, thank you for sharing this. Makes me wanna go do some wintertime desert hiking.

[@jamescromer550]

Does the axis of the enclosure have any celestial alignments?

[@SLuce222]

I think that you are right that it was defensive in nature. My guess at the holes is that they are post-holes. Given that they run to the edge of the cliff it's likely that they were to support a defensive fence of some sort. A very common type of defensive barricade involves vertical posts intertwined with horizontal branches. To slow down attackers from flanking the fort.

[@K7CARadio]

My first thought was this is a navigational aid from the early days of flying. The holes in the rock could be used for lifting poles to move the material to the site. Would be interesting to see what's at the bottom of the cliff. TU for the very interesting tour.

[@TerriAnnNiemeier-dy3no]

the geology of the areas you investigate are as interesting to me as the structures. I'm amazed the weather hasn't leveled them.

[@tortugalisa4748]

Wow Jeff! This was certainly a great mysterious find by one of your subscribers💯 I'm so glad you took on this one, nice its close to a location you are already interested in. I cant wait for your 3D workup on the cool rectangular build. Incorporating your e bike on what would have been miles of hiking is a fantastic idea👍👍👍 As always, thank you for all your wonderous, mysterious and interesting adventures for us😊

[@riverbender9898]

Excellent work! Yes, that was a broken point. Did you dig out the flowsand and gravel from any of the holes? They remind me of the remains of postholes, assuming they are deep enough for such a purpose. Very glad that I surfed into your site! Thank you.

[@YewtBoot]

Loved this adventure and ideas. Thanks. Have you taken sightings along the different straight walls? Aligned with sunrise or sunset on solstice or equinox? Those seem like easy solutions to why the straight lines. Carry on. Oh, and make sure you know how to change a flat or a broken chain or belt on the bike. those mamas are very heavy to push for long distances.

[@DavidGilesColorado]

My ebike has a walk mode. And I definitely carry tools and of course tire patches. Mine has two motors and weighs around 80 pounds.

[@peziki]

It seemed to me the trip going in was well traveled dirt w/recent tire impressions of heavy vehicles. As to the structure, it looks like an unfinished fortification with stockpiled stone alongside. Holes are post holes for ropes to walk up the incline, helpful especially when carrying a burden. Go back and search outreach areas for other hints such as dwellings, campsites and fire pits. Good video.

[@SandyFielding-cl4dc]

Looks like an old native area and those holes look like where they would grind acorns,,ect to make food with. When they get so deep, they start at another spot. From the looks of the stones around ,you can tell someone lived there centuries ago. Thanks for the adventure. Stay safe an God bless

[@lilbird4198]

Very cool! It almost seems like the project was started, and then abandoned. And the rocks outside the structure, was their stockpile.Thank You for another exciting adventure. 😊