Jack:
A few questions....
Which Tribe controls your area of interest ?
Red Mountain and the small hill in particular.
When and why did they close the area to recreational hikers ?
What is the origin of the Maze depicted on the Pima-Maricopa Seal, and which European writer was the first to describe this Maze and it's location.
Does another Maze exist in another location similar to the first ?
Is there a larger Maze, between the two mentioned above, which can be traversed on foot ?
Another cultural group in Arizona has a similar Maze as well .
Do you know who they are ?
I'm not trying to throw any curve balls across your plate.
Finding the answers to these and other questions can get pretty interesting, believe me.
Regards:SH.
Somehiker,
Thank You for those questions, and I will answer some this way.
The Maze in the area of our Interest can be found at Casa Grande.
Which I would think as old as the Ancient Channels.
A Tribe in Arizona has been separated by the division of the US and
Mexico. Considering this link, I would think Tribal influence could pass
from one to another. The Ancient Tribes in Mexico I have no doubt
used many symbols that can reflect much more than the Maze. Is
Montezuma's Treasure in Arizona ? I am not privileged to know that.
The Maze type design has been in effect in Scotland, England and other
European countries for Millenniums. Mesmerizing, but not to far from
coiling up a rope, or untangling one in design. Probably one of the
best designs to capture one's thoughts in a time of need, on the large
scale as so many have done for who knows how long ago.
The Indigenous Tribes of the Area of our concern have been around
since the beginning. They have had interlopers in their front or back
yard since the Spanish arrived. Most likely a thousand years after their
organizational culture matured.
I believe the Tribes knew before and gained knowledge of More sites
of precious metals once the sites were mined. The Tribes were the
only ones who didn't leave and watched every move before the others
left the area.
Today I would think the I'itoi has a meaning beyond which we understand.
I believe there is meaning/message beyond most who worship it do not
have privilege to. Such as our government treats us.
I also believe the I'itoi by Tribes other than the Pima-Maricopa Community,
worship their own, because they may (HAVE) their own.
As I remember not too many decades ago, the North American Indian
Peoples were the poorest among us, as in monetary wealth, with a few
exceptions. Today there are those who are ready to invest extremely large
amounts of money. I think it is a time in the culture of the North American
Indian Tribes to secure their future, and I could not be happier for them.
Jack
