Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2020. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.
This virtual cache is at Homolovi State Park in Arizona and the park information is located at: Homolovi.
Homolovi (pronounced Hoe mol’ oh vee) is a Hopi word for “the place of the little hills.” The entrance to the state park is along State Route 87 north of Winslow, AZ. Proceed to the park headquarters to pay the park entry fee. Here you will see the museum and the gift shop with the bookstore. All the roads you need to do this cache are paved and parking lots will accommodate an RV. All ancient artifacts and habitats are protected by state law.
Four ancient pueblos are in the park and two of these are open to the public. Proceed to Homolovi I parking. The information to answer the cache question number one is visible from the parking area (the posted coordinates). (The pueblo has no paved trail and is not rated for wheelchairs.) The mudstones seen at the pueblos are formed by sedimentation in flowing waters giving them wavy patterns.
Pueblo walls at Homolovi I
Walls at Homolovi I
Potsherds (shards of broken pottery) and colorful mudstones
You will not need GPS for the remainder of the park. Use the map in the park brochure. Homolovi II pueblo has a wheelchair-accessible, paved trail.
Walls at Homolovi II Pueblo
Homolovi II Pueblo
Excavated Kiva at Homolovi II
Broken pottery
Potsherds
Homolovi III and IV are on the other side of the river and are closed portions of the park. In October and November, guided tours are given of these sites. Tour information and reservations are available from the park headquarters. Homolovi III is on the edge of the river flood plain and is partly washed away. Much of this site is unexcavated. Extensive research of the pueblo is in the book, Homol’ovi III which I purchased at the park bookstore.
Archeologist Charles Adams speaks about Homolovi in this video: https://youtu.be/BYB-Uj8_xbox
While the site is closed, the mesa which is home to Homolovi IV can be seen from N. Park Dr., a few miles north of Winslow, AZ.
Mesa of Homolovi IV from Park Dr.
This mesa is the location of Homolovi IV
An excellent book, Homol’ovi: A Cultural Crossroads, available at the bookstore, has information on the four Homolovi pueblos including drawings of the room locations.
Petroglyphs can be seen by hiking the Tsu’vo trail. See the park brochure.
To claim a find for this virtual cache, send me an e-mail with the first line reading “Archaeology Virtual Cache” and the answers to these questions:
- What is the single word on line three of the warning sign seen from the parking area of Homolovi I? (Hint: At the posted coordinates, look for the sign)
- What information did you gather about the importance of the geologic feature seen northwest of the Homolovi II pueblo? (Hint: "Paayu.")
- Is this your first visit to Homolovi?
Do not post answers in your cache log online! Also do not post photos which would be spoilers for the answers.
I wish to thank Geocacher GuilfordFlag for telling me about the book “The Archaeology of Ancient Arizona.” I was able to obtain the book at the La Posada Hotel (GCHQKH) in Winslow. Page 7 has a map showing the areas inhabited by the various ancient peoples of what is now Arizona. Pages 199-201 provide information on the Homolovi pueblos.
I also thank Geocacher PApackrat whose insight into anthropology and archaeology of Arizona was most helpful during my visit to the pueblos.