Sears-Kay Ruin, Archaeological site in Carefree, United States.
The Sears-Kay Ruin consists of approximately 40 stone chambers positioned on a hilltop within the Tonto National Forest. The structures feature stone walls and foundations arranged in patterns that suggest a fortified settlement design.
The Hohokam people built this fortified settlement around 1050 and occupied it for approximately 150 years before departing. The reasons for their eventual departure around 1200 remain unclear.
The building methods visible here reflect techniques developed by the Hohokam civilization, which later influenced how the Akimel O'odham and Tohono O'odham constructed their own structures. These construction practices remain visible today in the stone walls that visitors can examine.
Visitors access the ruins via a 1 mile round trip hiking trail with moderate elevation change. Sturdy footwear and plenty of water are essential due to desert conditions.
One chamber here, called the Mystery Room, features rounded corners instead of the typical square angles found in other rooms. This architectural difference remains puzzling to researchers today.
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