Three Rivers in Otero County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The First People
Photographed by James Hulse, June 25, 2024
1. The First People Marker
About 300 BC, some groups began to plant corn. They stayed longer in areas where their crops grew best. They built permanent villages, made brown colored pottery and added beans and squash to their fields. We call these people the Jornada Mogollon (hor-nah-dah mo-go-yone).
Down this trail you can see the remains of a village they built 1,000 years ago. Some dwellings have been partially reconstructed.
Please enjoy your visit, but beware of mesquite spines and the poisonous snakes that occasionally occur in the area.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 33° 20.676′ N, 106° 0.491′ W. Marker is in Three Rivers, New Mexico, in Otero County. It is on 3 Rivers Roa (County Road
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in New Mexico’s Pecos Valley. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Comancherνa, and the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Three Rivers Petroglyph Site (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Prehistoric Village (about 500 feet away); Leave Only Footprints (about 600 feet away); Home - 1000 Years Ago (approx. 0.2 miles away); Adobe Surface House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Building of a Later Period (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sacramento Mountains (approx. Ό mile away); Tularosa Basin (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Three Rivers.
Also see . . . Three Rivers Petroglyph Site.
Photographed by James Hulse, June 25, 2024
2. The First People Marker along the hiking trail
The Three Rivers Petroglyphs are outstanding examples of prehistoric Jornada Mogollon rock art. The basaltic ridge rising above the Three Rivers Valley contains over 21,000 petroglyphs, including masks, sunbursts, wildlife, handprints, and geometric designs. The number and concentration of petroglyphs make this one of the largest and most interesting rock art sites in the Southwest. A rugged 0.5-mile trail (Petroglyph Trail) begins at the visitor shelter and links many of the most interesting petroglyphs. Another short trail (Village Trail) begins on the east side of the picnic area and leads to a partially excavated prehistoric village.(Submitted on July 12, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
The Three Rivers Petroglyph Site is one of the few locations in the Southwest set aside solely because of its rock art. It is also one of the few sites giving visitors such direct access to petroglyphs. The number and concentration of petroglyphs here make it one of the largest and most interesting petroglyphs sites in the Southwest. More than 21,000 glyphs of birds, humans, animals, fish, insects and plants, as well as numerous geometric and abstract designs are scatteredover 50 acres of New Mexico's northern Chihuahuan Desert. The petroglyphs at Three Rivers, dating back to between about 200-1450 AD, were created by Jornada Mogollon people who used stone tools to remove the dark patina on the exterior of the rock. A small pithouse is nearby and Sierra Blanca towers above to the east. A detailed petroglyph guide is available at the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site.Photographed by James Hulse, June 25, 20243. The view of the First People Marker from the parking day.
Photographed by James Hulse, June 25, 2024
4. Jornada style face petroglyph
Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 203 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 12, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
