A Trinchera near Quitovaquita, Sonora

Ives, Ronald

Stone walls on many of the hills of Papagueria have excited the interest of workers in that area for a number of years. One mile southeast of Quitovaquita the Sonoyta River enters a range of granitic hills, locally known as the Cerritos de Agua Dulce. At the point where the river enters the hills is a small isolated knoll separated from the main cerrito by an abandoned river channel about 300 feet long, three feet high and two feet thick. Between this wall and the slope of the hill, material resembling sheetflood wash has accumulated or been placed. No other structures of any sort were found on or near this knoll. The major portion of this wall has fallen, although it is firmly built. Earthquakes common in this area, are probably responsible. Inquiries at Quitovaquita produced the information that this wall was built before the coming of 'el Doctor Lumbe' (Lumholtz), and before that of the 'good padre' (possibly Kino). Further quiestions brought only 'No comprendo' from the Papagos. No description of this structure has been found in the literature of the area, which goes back to 1698.

A Trinchera near Quitovaquita, Sonora

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