🔍🤔 What Is Going On Here? Odd Ancient Shapes On A Mountaintop!

#googleearth #googleearthfind #googleearthsecret #ruins #nativeamerican #thetrekplanner #exploring #explore #hiking #deserthiking #americansouthwest #ancienthistory #ancientdiscoveries
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➡️ / jefftjohnson
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--SPOILERS--
Ruin Information: the ruin is about 137 ft. long and at its widest spot it's about 45 ft. The walls were about 3-4 feet thick in spots and the tallest wall is over 9 ft. tall
My thoughts: I think this may have some religious significance. I feel like the small square shape ruin was a place/dwelling for a someone to spend time for a vision quest, religious ceremonies, rituals, celestial observations, or something along those lines. But, I have seen ruins like this that have been said to be defensive structures. This isn't even on the tallest mountain in the area, so if this was defensive, why did these people build on a smaller mountain that would be relatively easier to climb than on, say, a steeper or more protected location?
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I hope you enjoyed this adventure! It means so much to me that you spent the time watching it. If you enjoyed this, please consider subscribing. I strive to bring relatively unknown, odd, unique, and special places to you each week from the American Southwest!
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👍How to be a respectful visitor to these places👍
Native American groups still live in this area and beyond today. These places are still special and hold significance.
1️⃣Don't climb on walls or structures. Don't lean on or climb over them. Many places don't even need to be visited up close. View these places from a distance or with binoculars.
2️⃣Do not touch the rock art. Don't touch or create new rock art to preserve ancient stories.
3️⃣ Leave All Artifacts. Leave artifacts and structures undisturbed to maintain their historical significance. It is illegal and wrong to take artifacts. If you want something to take home, support local tribes by buying their handicrafts and jewelry.
4️⃣ Manage Waste Responsibly. Use waste bags; don't leave human or pet waste behind. Don't 'go' near cultural sites.
5️⃣ Camp With Care. Don't camp near historical sites. No fires near these areas, and ensure all waste is packed out. Don't make fires in caves or alcoves. Camp in designated spots only. When you leave, make sure to make the site cleaner and better than when you found it. Pick up extra trash you may see.
6️⃣ Control Your Pets. Don't let pets roam freely near archaeological areas to prevent destruction. Pets are not allowed in or near sites.
7️⃣ Preserve Fragile Areas. Don't disturb fossils and please protect delicate soil and plant life.
8️⃣ Follow Rules. Don't engage in illegal actions such as building cairns, or using climbing gear to access archaeological sites.
9️⃣ Obey Drone Rules and Laws. Numerous locations in the American Southwest and beyond, such as the Navajo Reservation, Wilderness Study Areas, and various restricted spaces, enforce strict drone usage prohibitions. It is crucial to not only honor the legacy of the people who once inhabited these areas but also show respect for the present-day residents and adhere to their local laws, customs and regulations.
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NOTE: I don't claim that I am the first person to "discover" these places. I just find things on Google Earth and want to go see what they are!
I do not claim to be an expert on anthropology, geology, or archaeology. I say that my channel is about "amateur archaeology". I don't have a degree or formal training in archaeology. I am just a hiker who loves to explore and see new things especially the ancient history in the American Southwest. This is what my channel is about. I hope you stick around and explore with me!
I do not give out locations to the places in my videos. I take seriously the responsibility to protect and respect these ancient places. If you do find/visit one of these locations, please visit respectfully. I try my best to hide noticeable landmarks, mountains, and canyons in my videos.
----🎵MUSIC🎵----
🎵Music by Slip.stream - Neo Nylon "I Feel With You (Under Stars)" - slip.stream/tracks/a2d91d48-5...
🎵Local Forecast - Slower by Kevin MacLeod
Link: filmmusic.io/song/3988-local-...
License:creativecommons.org/licenses/...
🎵Music by Slip.stream - Teflon Sega "Anti Hero" - slip.stream/tracks/5e415d75-8...

[@Edward-xw8rj]

Existing archaeological evidence indicates that early on, small Mogollon communities were clustered on hilltops in pithouses. These were circular or oval rooms dug into the ground, which helped to maintain a comfortable temperature. Mogollon people practiced agriculture (primarily growing maize, beans, and squash), but also relied on hunting and foraging. Later on, as their numbers grew and they became an even more diverse group, they settled in other types of areas, including valleys. Around the year 1000, Mogollon peoples began to build above ground and made square living spaces. We also find large round ceremonial rooms that have been called “great kivas” beginning around 850, and which could accommodate large gatherings.

[@firewaterforgeofarizona4304]

I live in this desert (Sonoran), going up washes like this can be much more difficult and dangerous than going overland. Let me know if you come back to the Cave Creek area. I will dial you into a farming and ruin location that is great.

[@sarahstrong7174]

Thankyou for sharing.

[@David-pm8th]

I think it's more defensive...a fortress.

[@meganhutton3947]

@@firewaterforgeofarizona4304 0:08

[@kurtzmiller7711]

A completely defensive position...!!😊

[@brandtdales]

That bone was a Shoulder Blade

[@chuckgraf8141]

Interesting video! Always carry a plastic comb for when you get stuck with cactus. It works really well.

[@Carnicrazy]

Super idea! If I ever went desert bushwacking, I'd wear gaiters over heavy boots.

[@shimaohana]

Wow! That’s great advice. Thank you!

[@jamesruddy9264]

And tweezers! Voice of experience with prickly pears here.

[@chuckgraf8141]

I've had several run-ins with cholla and prickly pear. I've lived in Arizona since 1976 and have done my fair share of hiking and camping in the desert.

[@Calatriste54]

Wear pants for Heaven's sake! Whadda ya thankin?

[@doriswlongAgoandfarAway]

I loved the flower - thanks for the pause.

[@QuasiBlond]

I am one of your disabled followers and I'm still loving your content! Thank you so much for your videos.

[@LexipMedia]

Same here. I can no longer hike to any of these places but do enjoy tagging along with you on your adventures.

[@TheTrekPlanner]

I am happy you joined with me! 🙂

[@deborahcoffman5742]

Thank you, it is difficult for me to Hike & Climb. You ask about Why This Place? Well I choose The Heavens Above, The Stars And The Veiw. Not Only Beautiful, but They Knew When Company or Something Evil was coming. 😊 🙏🇺🇸

[@jackiemack8653]

Likewise!

[@jackiemack8653]

Likewise!

[@Materialworld4]

Hey Jeff, that was a smart Idea to bring your friend Kevin with you. You ran into Jumping Cholla, also known a Chain Fruit Cholla. I have seen those go across several fingers on tourists hands here in Scottsdale. Personally I have had them go straight through a sturdy hiking boot I was wearing while on South Mountain in Phoenix, and again in North Scottsdale. If you decide to venture more in the Sonoran Desert I would advise you to have a large pair of pliers with you at all times. Now as for the amazing site you and Kevin explored, the lack of broken pottery is a good clue this was not a site where people lived. My best guess like before is that it was an observatory for distinct celestial events that were import to all the ancient people around the globe. Plus again it has that British Neolithic Cursuses feel and shape, and is very similar to the spiritual abodes in the deserts of Saudi Arabia. Man what an amazing site Jeff, I need to expressly thank you, and Kevin for a wonderful adventure this evening. To say that place was amazing would be a severe understatement. And yes, Wasps scare me to death because I am very allergic to them. But even scarier are packs of Javelina, and massive swarms of killer bees on the move 8 feet off the ground. Oh, and bye the way, if you see a Gila Monster, enjoy it, but never upset them. Wait until you hear one of those guys hiss like they mean it. Take Care Jeff, until your next adventure.

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Thanks again for your comment and for your insight and knowledge! I am learning more and more about this part of the southwest from you and others' comments!

[@thomaskaiakapu2672]

It's probably a combination of lookout/signaling point, and last line of defense/protection for other tribes.

[@heidiboggs8635]

That's my impression too. Definitely keeping watch for some kind of threat.

[@Grumpyoldman037]

Defensive fortification. They chose the spot because they could see an enemy army from a long way off. You mentioned something about the cactus, but when the structure was built the area was a lot more wet than it is now, so there were probably many fewer cactus.

[@childofnewlight]

I was thinking the same thing. The climate in the region could have been wildly different 1000-2000 years ago.

[@catpatrick3838]

Saguaro=yes, cholla=no. You guys are braver than I am 😂. Cool ruin, the composition of the walls would suggest it was maybe defensive. Then again the walls may have been built that way to ensure their durability against the elements 🤷🏼‍♀️. So many questions, so few answers. Still very impressive. Thanks for making that treacherous hike to it.

[@thedarkmoon2341]

That the walls have remained so sturdy even though they look to be just piled up leads me to only one conclusion. Crazy maybe, but I think this was the work of a shaman. He would have known the size, shape and location of every stone needed to create the whole structure, and move them there by what we would call magic. And the shaman had no need to climb up there as he could trans-locate, as Australian shaman have been recorded doing. Oh, and that wash is really an electrical discharge, not formed by water at all, but will of course have running water when it rains as it is the lowest part in the area.

[@r.a.w.r.news.t.v.2]

Kamaya there's 200 plus people watching and only 41 likes give this man thumbs up

[@rebe4981]

He's a sweet guy, I enjoy his treks.

[@lnbjr7]

On average, across the variety of channels I watch, only about 10 percent of viewers hit the like button.. sadly, that’s the norm…

[@michaeltaylor4984]

It takes us loyal fans a while to get online. 2.3K at two hours ain't bad.

[@kahome]

aww i missed it. KZbin didnt give me a notice at all. Sad

[@CMon_Jack]

Calm down. You watched the video really early.

[@GrandmaBev64]

That is a citadel fortress. Cool They picked that spot for a vantage point. Citadels are always on top of the mountain or hill they are built on. I see stuff like this in other countries too, like Peru and even Iran.

[@patstats1]

And Italy. They are everywhere there is a hilltop.

[@sovereigncosmicwildman]

100% aliens/monster built via orbs/ufos

[@arizonaunplugged-neilbrook9509]

When hiking the Mesas north of Phoenix about 50 miles or so, I started wearing gators because of the thick grass and stickers… Some amazing structures all around👊🏽💯🤙🏽

[@___HH___]

When I was hiking down in Louisiana I wore gators because of the gators. 😬

[@arizonaunplugged-neilbrook9509]

HAHAHAHAHAH - HOLY CRAP!@@___HH___

[@studio107bgallery4]

Don’t forget the rattlesnakes and scorpions….

[@arizonaunplugged-neilbrook9509]

You got that right.......The gators protect from those as well :)@@studio107bgallery4

[@TheTrekPlanner]

I have thicker hiking pants. Just need to wear them lol

[@tamipalin8171]

You find the most fascinating things on your treks, and I'm so grateful you take us along!!! I got short of breath just watching you two climb up these hills!!! And the drone footage is the icing on the cake!!

[@jonathanfloming1045]

Maybe an outpost of some kind. What a vantage point...the lack of any artifacts seems to indicate that it was not a habitation site. Observation and signaling post...final answer. Thanks for taking us along.

[@snarky4lyfe144]

watch point for travelers maybe. a way station. a stopping point , a rest area. a place to refill on food and water? ive got tons of ideas. Best bet is thats its a waystation for travelers, a place to rest and eat maybe sleep .

[@corneliusdinkmeyer2190]

Maybe for hunting trips. They’d be able to see where a herd was.

[@soyoucametosee7860]

​​@@snarky4lyfe144no pottery for water or food.

[@samurguybriyongtan146]

Amazing variety of cacti and plants, as well a ton of biodiveristy. I wonder if there was a water source (year round) nearby?

[@patriciaramirez5632]

Where was the door to enter the big wall. Did they just climb over it? There was a entryway for the smaller square.

[@drobertsmithjewelry]

Looks more like Perry Mesa group sites vs Hohokam. Hohokam did not get too much further north than New River mountains. Most of these sites were defensive places due to stresses from the Phoenix basin decline. Scott Woods wrote some on this group of folks, that originally came from the Payson area.

[@drobertsmithjewelry]

@@RevRob-tc8tg as I pointed out above, some research shows these folks came from the Q site north of Payson on and possibly Hardscrabble Mesa to the NW. Chavez Pass was part of a larger trade route that covered much of Arizona, so it’s possible some may have come from there. Scott Woods wrote quite a lot on this too in AAS publications. My buddy when I lived in Sedona was part of that study.

[@sandysue202]

I'm thinking it was a defensive area/ hunting blind but my goodness...the work of placing all those rocks to form the walls. And then another small walled area inside! Maybe that was a secondary area where the hunters kept some food supplies and maybe even used it as an extra secure sleeping area? I wonder if the small interior walled part might have had limbs and branches across the top of it at one time. The vegetation that you all walked through to get to the ruins made me start itching all over!!😂 great video!!!❤

[@user-it9gk6um4e]

What gets me about these hilltop sites is ... the interior area doesn't ever seem to have been cleared or levelled, by deliberate effort or just by frequent use/traffic. It's like they only built the walls and didn't do anything else. Why would that be?

[@kittehgo]

They probably stored some food and weapons up there, in times of trouble. You move up there and bring what ever you need, whom ever lived near. Most likely lived below on some flatter area..

[@billm201]

Definitely a defensive area & build. The square inside was probably a supply/storage structure.

[@johnhunt2390]

The square inside may have been a later structure. It looks to have a chimney built in a corner.

[@christopherball7937]

The square I believe was to protect the women and children

[@ironcladranchandforge7292]

I've said this before on other videos, but I'll say it again; I'm convinced that 700 to perhaps 1,500 years ago there was a Native American war between tribes that caused people to build these defensive structures. There are so many in the Southwest that the evidence for conflict is overwhelming in my opinion. If every tribe in the Southwest was at peace there wouldn't be a need to build in these almost inaccessible places. It would be easier to live on flat land near rivers and avoid the hard labor to build these structures. But here they are and it tells a compelling story!!

[@19bishop56]

That was my thought also. On top of such a high place, you could see in every direction in case of invaders. The inner building for warmth at night and food storage possibly.

[@johnhunt2390]

@@ironcladranchandforge7292 There is a KZbin channel by a Navajo elder who relates oral tradition. He talks about a group that came up from the south and started enslaving people living in the southwest. It is worth the time to watch. "Navajo Traditional Teachings" is the name of the channel.

[@lucindajennings148]

Another good hike...and loved the..are we there yet vibes!!! I never went hiking without boots and thick jeans..no matter what the weather. Saves the legs.😊

[@tinkerstrade3553]

I think this was a celestial observatory. Judging by the shadows, it is oriented toward the northern sky. The "building" was the heart of the place, with the rest of the area for supplies and temporary shelters. It was probably only visited a limited number of days out of the year. A lot of stones could be moved over the centuries this may have been in use. Perhaps these very stones were caried up the mountain as a price of admission to the dance of the stars.

[@corneliusdinkmeyer2190]

I like that!!! The dance of the stars!! ✨💫⭐️

[@ianwilkinson4602]

I wouldn't think that they would need such stout walls for an observatory, it has to be defensive, what a place to build a "fort" though, they certainly were determined. I doubt it was a permanent residence, more like a lookout post and somewhere to retreat to in the event of an attack, but it's only guesswork. cheers.

[@mikelellsaesser1320]

What direction was that door facing.

[@joeypowe3835]

The doorway faces southeast

[@themartyr9086]

I grew up in Arizona, and the ugly truth is, it was probably a defense against the Apache

[@richardhawkins1784]

Love your Videos! You are probably aware you recently had a shout out from the Desert Drifter. You and he do the best job on these types of videos. I like that you don't disclose where you are. For example the opening scene of the video is at Salt Lake City airport? The mountain top location is in Arizona, with the Saguaro Cactus being a huge clue. Let's just say you were actually much closer to the Tucson and Sky Harbor Airports.

[@jackiemack8653]

You like that he doesn't disclose where he is yet you're narrowing it down for people.

[@Holcroft1969]

Good morning from the South Coast of England Jeff and Kevin. I have my cup of tea and I'm all set for another adventure.

[@JamieKeefer]

As far as KZbin content creators go, you are putting in some real work. That hike looks amazing - the desert is beautiful. I have to wonder if you got out of there before it got too dark. Thanks for the adventure:).

[@KubotaManDan]

It was where the tribal shaman lived, his house was covered (the square in the middle). Great explore. You should have some Snake Bite Gaiter Guards for days like these.

[@trippinwithdumas1382]

Taking the wash up the hill is a bad practice, I saw a Ridgeline to your left. That's the best way to go (safest)

[@leelundgren600]

Good job on the recent changes made to your edits, annotations, voiceovers, etc. Great videos made even better.

[@LisadeKramer]

I hope you are mapping your finds. They could give a lot of clues. I believe these high places were strategic to send singles a long way off.

[@jackiemack8653]

Signals

[@pollyb.4648]

We need a program like Britain's Time Team to investigate all your finds!!

[@andreaskummer4212]

Beautiful spot and great view too. It would have been a long tedious job to stack all that rock so it was an important place to those that built it. I wonder how many people there was? It's a very thick strong fort too.

[@johndubose1395]

that looks like a good defensive position but no water source so sooner or later you would have to come out with the enemy waiting for you. Observatory is more likely. Everywhere you go you find pottery but not there. Lack of pottery means something but I don't know what.

[@corneliusdinkmeyer2190]

I think it means no one lived there day to day.

[@artemusbowdler7508]

Use a comb to remove cactus heads.

[@A.I.Thoughts]

Another good one! One of the things I look forward to on the weekends is a new video! Awesome stuff !!

[@rodneywalden5358]

One of my big concerns operating in that terrain is snakes. Do you ever wear snake boots?

[@laurenhosford3503]

Love your videos .. loving the notes.. and thanks for showing a clip of the flower.. I loved that part a lot :) keep being awesome

[@BillyJ244]

They had to be at war with another tribe. If another tribe was trying to kill them. That is one hell of a defensive structure. There is a huge amount of rocks in that wall. Truly amazing. I would love to see that in person. Thank you for filming that.

[@Edward-xw8rj]

The Hohokam Paleo-Indians were some of the earliest known inhabitants of the American Southwest. They lived in an area that is now known as the Sonoran Desert, which covers parts of present-day Arizona, California, and Mexico. The Hohokam were a farming people who relied on irrigation to water their crops. They are best known for their pottery and their elaborate system of canals. The Hohokam culture is thought to have begun around 300 BCE and to have lasted until around 1400 CE

[@barbaratuma8812]

That is just amazing. I’m glad you took your friend with you this time.

[@nathanmaughan2974]

This looks like a great house. Remember that this could have been part of a network of communities, and being perched on the top of the hill could have proovided line of sight communication. The ancestral pueblo reached surprisingly far north with some of their communities and they had signal mounds (fires) every 20 miles on the level but were careful to build communities that preserved line of sight.

[@JT-xh4zm]

You have certainly shared some beautiful scenery that I would have never seen otherwise. What a great site. I'm thinking fortress but who really knows. It is odd that there is no sign of habitation, even as an outpost you would think there would have been something remaining. As always....thanks for sharing!

[@ginkodragon]

I love the saguaro cactus! They look like an army of sentimentals! But not the cholla! They dont call it the jumping cactus for nothing! Glad that you took a friend! That ruin is an absolutly perfect watch and defensible spot! Thank you! Very interesting!

[@jackiemack8653]

Sentinels

[@ginkodragon]

🤣

[@ginkodragon]

Spell check!

[@tinabowbinathebroncolady3937]

I love your channel. ❤

[@user-zv6rk5fr8c]

All of this young dude's videos are great. 😊

[@gdroege44]

Next time you get stuck with a cactus, carry a small comb which helps for removing them easily.

[@user-iw3mr2lv6f]

Lots of work to build walls must be done for defense. Who knows! I enjoy your adventures keep on going👍👍👍👍👍❤️

[@s.c.i.7506]

Should be wearing jeans and not shorts! Whatchya thinkin'?! Walls matter against enemies.

[@leroylem51]

...And snake boots.

[@leighsayers2628]

Haha ..don't come to Australia then ..people wear shorts in the bush ..no big deal .

[@ianbolsover3647]

Be dead of heat exhaustion wearing jeans climbing mountains in the desert😂

[@robertallen6710]

@@leighsayers2628 No big deal taking a venomous snake bit...no big deal...

[@akster8434]

I was thinking the same thing! 🤣

[@nathancriman8912]

The shapes and placement of the small inner walls and the outer wall resemble some ancient Judaic ruin sites. Interesting.

[@barbinfl4079]

Thanks. Love the drone shots. So cool.

[@HarryBJones-ce2iz]

It’s nice when you are in your drone pictures. Gives us a size guide for surrounding interesting places. Thank you for this journey. I think it was a Howard Johnson’s.

[@corneliusdinkmeyer2190]

😂😂😂 Good one! But where’s the pool? 🏊🏼‍♂️🏊‍♂️🏊🏾‍♂️

[@peterwaksman9179]

Helpful to see the horizon. The axis of the inner room might point somewhere.

[@wildspirit922]

@trekplanner would love if you included a view of the horizon in the videos. I was really waiting to see what your view was like up there but only able to see the hilltop. 😊

[@random22026]

2:43 to 2:44 🎵ROCKS-anne, you don't have to slide down that hill today...🎵 😅😅 4:32 It's like those tall, slender cacti are silently standing guard over the site Two spines: the wash, lives up to its reputation... 4:48 Cactus 5:08 Bone Incredible ruin. BUDDY SYSTEM RULES! (Kevin's presence is 👍🏻👍🏻!)

[@TheTrekPlanner]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@random22026]

Ikr? 😉😉@@TheTrekPlanner

[@vebnew]

Thanks for letting me tag along with you to another place I'll never go - - - I did all my trekking in the desert when I was younger

[@onceagain71]

I'm glad your friend joined you, that looked like a difficult hike. Really enjoyed the drone footage.

[@roundrock63]

WOW!! Awesome trek!!

[@richardhoover4471]

Amazing structure! Great drone footage. I tend to think it was for ceremonial purposes. I would want to investigate the orientation of the site to the sun, moon,stars, with reference to the summer & winter solstices and/or equinoxes, and also with reference to things like the Polaris, the North Star.

[@chrisk28]

Another fascinating video, thanks Jeff and Kevin. Love your work.

[@steiner554]

Just from these ruins you can tell a lot. Only a prosperous people would be able to build that. Why? First it needs to be a hierarchical society. Someone has to tell others what to do. You can't go build something like that just willy nilly. They had to have had a surplus of food. Those who build can't hunt and gather or tend the fields and crops. That in of itself shows a hierarchical structure. You had to have additional support. Those who build need food and water supplies brought to them while they worked. To build something like that in such a place demands a more complex society, organisational skills and what we would now call form of government.

[@johnhunt2390]

Or, there is another group that is attacking, making a war of extermination. Everybody gets together and quickly builds a place of refuge in the most defensible place nearby. Large enough to get everybody inside. The existence of a place of refuge sitting up high and visible for miles around discourages the marauders, because they know that most of the people would just get away. We are talking about raiding parties, not sieges. The locals would always have the home field advantage. In a day or two the neighbors would show up to help push the raiders out. In that context, this structure makes perfect sense, as does its lack of use.

[@medicinebaglady8796]

Excellent video.

[@okami36]

I'd suggest investing in some chaps for treks like this. Maybe not full-on leather ones, but some of the lighter, cut resistant ones for working with a chainsaw. They might make going through such terrain a bit less painful. Very cool location, thanks for taking us there.

[@chattykathie7129]

No pottery chards or arrows etc that must be significant

[@user-gv3gw3yv2d]

Maybe they packed everything up and moved out.

[@corneliusdinkmeyer2190]

I think that would indicate it wasn’t a living space but maybe a seasonal hunting spot. From that vantage, you’d be able to see herds for miles.

[@rockyciraco9531]

Subscribed and always liking... What more? Inveterate curiosity, intelligent with unfailing integrity... You inspire on many many levels. Thank you.

[@Carnicrazy]

Coolest place yet, Jeff. It seems to me to be a defensive fortress & watchtower with a dwelling in the center to house the watchmen. Native tribes used smoke to signal long distances. Maybe it was a signal tower. It's really well constructed and in a useful location for long distance communication.

[@prieten49]

That was a difficult hike. Next time, wear some long pants! Kevin was a great addition to the Trek Planner team. That mountain cast a stunning shadow in the late afternoon sun. I'm guessing a defensive structure from the location. They sure had a lot of time on their hands to build such elaborate structures so high up.

[@MrLee-ue7iu]

Another very cool video. Thanks for the adventure.

[@alwilliams3533]

I can’t quite understand. It sure appears defensive to me. And no pottery…certainly not a habitation site, I would think. But defensive to what? It really is mind boggling, Jeff. It’s great to see you out with friends! Hi Keven! 👋 Keep on, keepiin’ on, my friend!❤️👌

[@johnhart125]

I would think was a temple or the like, but would make great fort, view is awesome

[@spiritflower6640]

Beautiful saguaros too 😊 really appreciate your channel!🤙that terrain is trying! thanks for your efforts!

[@corneliusdinkmeyer2190]

It definitely wasn’t a place to live day to day. Can you imagine lugging water up there on a regular basis?!😅

[@dannyduncan3181]

Amazing structure, hard to imagine or comprehend the amount of work this took. Thank you for taking us there.

[@user-xx1tm5fe9u]

Could be a sheep fold... a defensive location for fending off predators. Could be a place for ceremonies or healing with a space outside for supporting people, and a small house for the patient/healer or the subject of the ceremony. Who knows?

[@timhuffman5311]

My guess would be that it was a defensive fort. The walls are constructed in the same manner as those of ancient Rome and earlier. It has a commanding view of the entire area and was visible for 20 miles or more. I would have liked to see more of the surrounding area. PS Chuck Graff is right. I hadn't thought of a comb. we always had a pair of pliers. they could expand for different sized cactus. You don't realize how useful they are until you need them.

[@studio107bgallery4]

I’m glad you’re taking someone with you, you never know what’s out in the wilderness

[@Mr.Grumbdy]

I think it is definitely some type of defensive strong hold. It is a fortified lookout point to keep a watchful eye on things .

[@QuatroAtYale]

Wow, cool. a couple of comments. I'm way older than you guys, but even in the old days, I carried a staff to assist with walking, especially in difficult terrain. Also, long pants, thick pants (possible with removal legs) would help. I also noticed that at the top, the grasses were greener than on the sides on your walk up. That's very interesting. Is there water somewhere up there? Sheesh it looks like an old world hill fort in England! Very, very cool.

[@lebowskiduderino89]

Wow man, that's awesome. It looks like a fortress to me. I know one thing, it definitely took a lot of work. Much admire the olden people who built these things, they were tough.

[@piperlynne1]

I always wonder what the land was like in the time that the structure was build. How different the land would have been then to now. The walls may be defensive and also to keep animals in and attackers out. Either way it's so cool that you found this place. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@bncsmom1]

This has the feeling of a fort. Those thick outer walls would have been the perimeter while the inner wall would likely have been a building for shelter. I'd think this was a lookout type of location, where they'd watch for others incoming. They probably had a settlement nearby and this location could signal or send a runner to the settlement if need be.

[@skyeseaborn1170]

This is awesome! Thanks Jeff, and Kevin! It’s fun to wonder over it.

[@dtork47]

Incredible thanks for taking us along! Stay safe

[@plumeria8357]

Amazing! Thank you!

[@haroldgardiner1966]

If it was a fortress, it was a planned one, for one last ditch effort, because it was more than just thrown up fast! May have been a place to signal allies at a distance!

[@user-kx1dz6mx7z]

Yes, enjoyed. Thank you for taking us along❤

[@Bardmusic66]

A religious site or observatory sounds good to me, considering there were no potsherds.

[@noonehere1793]

Incredible find….👍👍….walls that thick make me think defense.

[@stephenblakely4463]

Gives the impression of being a defensive lookout position. Really tough hike. Props! Im outdoorsman and the video doesn’t do justice too the brutalness of that hike. Thanks for video 🤟🏼

[@captsam54]

my old house.. We called it "Split Mountain"....

[@B-rads]

Enjoyable thanks!❤

[@JimCockerham]

Amazing find! Thanks for sharing!

[@spacexrocks1041]

held my breath to hear that bird, like i was right there

[@teressarenslow5992]

I am curious if this location might have a connection to star patterns? At any rate ..this was an awesome hike! Thanks for bringing us! Stay safe and happy!

[@zippitydoodah5693]

Doesn't seem logical for a home, or a defensive position. No water. No food. I'd guess that it is a Holy place.

[@YsabetJustYsabet]

If this was a refuge, I'd say the center structure was once used to store water and food. There's no water-source up there at all; I see the saguaros, and that tells me it's a climate a lot like where I live-- they like seasonal rainfall, not running streams. And the size of those walls! If this was a temporary place to stay, the roof was likely either brush or more probably hides or cloth stretched from side to side, if there WAS a roof. Most people consider that walls automatically mean a roof, but out where it rains so little that's not true. Have you checked with any local ranger stations or colleges to see if that place has been studied or excavated? I can't believe it was just ignored-- like you said, those are some pretty significant walls!

[@TheReubenswann]

Thanks for the flower shot.

[@juliereyes8783]

What an interesting site! It would be so cool to go back in time and watch what was going on there, and who was living there. Thank you Jeff and Kevin, awesome trek.

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Thanks for coming with us, Julie!

[@laine80]

The Sonoran Desert is a magical place for so many reasons ♥️

[@ericsonhazeltine5064]

Awesome hike!

[@patstats1]

I’ve read most of the comments, the consensus has it’s a defensive position and construction. As others have stated, it would be informative to see the 360° view and check your Google Map/Earth for other possible nearby outposts in case it’s a signal position. I would scout around that wash for other clues (cacti permitting). And check the opposite side of the mountain. You may need to return to further your investigation. I also agree with a viewer who said we should have our own American Southwest Time Team. I’d honestly like to hear what the local indigenous and the archaeologists have to share. Would be interesting to see if there were stone markers that may correspond to celestial bodies. "So above as below." The wash could relate to the Milky Way as it does in Mexican peninsula sites like Palenque (I think it’s that site.) A Great Find. Thank you for your precious time and effort.

[@fishnchips8132]

Interesting wall construction, seen in other countries too - even Australia, but built by those of European origins. It's much more stable with the double wall packed with smaller stones. Entertaining & educational & like the respect you give the ancient places.