Sears-Kay Ruin, Archaeological site in Carefree, United States.
Sears-Kay Ruin is an archaeological site set on a hilltop inside Tonto National Forest in Maricopa County, Arizona. The site holds around 40 stone chambers with walls and foundations still visible, arranged in a pattern that points to a fortified settlement.
The Hohokam people built this settlement around 1050 and lived there for roughly 150 years. They left around 1200, and no one has yet found a clear reason for their departure.
The stone walls visible here show building techniques developed by the Hohokam people, which later shaped how the Akimel O'odham and Tohono O'odham built their own structures. Visitors can walk close to the walls and observe how the stones were fitted together without mortar.
The ruins are reached by a short hiking trail with a moderate elevation change, so sturdy shoes are a good idea. Desert conditions mean the heat can be intense, and carrying enough water is important, especially in summer.
One chamber on the site, known as the Mystery Room, has rounded corners instead of the square angles found in every other room. Researchers have not yet found a convincing explanation for this difference, making it one of the more puzzling details of the site.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
