Shonto in Navajo County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Sweathouse

Navajo National Monument

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 5, 2008

1. Sweathouse Marker

Inscription. This miniature forked-stick hogan without a smoke hole is actually a highly effective bath — an ancient solution to the problem of keeping clean in a land where water is scarce.

Here’s how it works: Stones are heated in a fire, then rolled in, or carried in on a wooden fork. The bathers undress outside, and then crawl inside. A blanket is hung over the door opening. Now all it takes is patience while the radiant heat does its work. This is the time for relaxing tired muscles—conversing—and perhaps singing sweathouse songs. Afterward, the bathers emerge from the sweathouse to rinse off with water, if any is available, or to rub dry with the soft, absorbent sand of Navajo country.

Erected by National Park Service-United States Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Paleontology.

Location. 36° 40.71′ N, 110° 32.472′ W. Marker is in Shonto, Arizona, in Navajo County. It is on Arizona Route 564. The marker is near the Navajo

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National Monument Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Shonto AZ 86054, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Navajo Nation

and in Hopi.

It is also in the American Southwest,

in the Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

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

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hogan (a few steps from this marker); Wagon (a few steps from this marker); Dinosaur Footprint (a few steps from this marker); Sandal Trail (a few steps from this marker); The Pygmy Conifer Forest - An Indian Store (a few steps from this marker); Big Sagebrush (a few steps from this marker); Upside-down Mountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Canyons in Time (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shonto.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 5, 2008

2. Sweathouse

Sign indicating direction to the Sweathouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 5, 2008

3. Sign indicating direction to the Sweathouse

Sign at the entrance to the National Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 5, 2008

4. Sign at the entrance to the National Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 30, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 822 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 30, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.