Fortified Boulder, Cannonball Mesa

We recently visited a new to me site that is now one of my favorites. I knew that one site existed on top of Cannonball Mesa, but didn't know how to breach the cliffs. Once I figured out the access, I passed "Boulder House" a Pueblo III site (1200-1300 AD). I first heard of Boulder House as a 2009 Pecos Conference field trip, but have driven within a 1/4 mile dozens of times. Walls standing 2 feet are perched on top of a huge boulder. On the grounds surrounding the boulder are remains of a PIII village. The trail to the top of the mesa passes close by and soon brings one to an amazing view of the Four Corners area.

A narrow band of the mesa top is crossed by a zig zagging prehistoric wall. It is similar, but much longer than those crossing the sandstone tongue leading to The Citadel in SE Utah. A horse trail goes through the "gate". At the tip of the mesa, a few hundred yards past the wall, are the remains of a Pueblo I village (750-900 AD). It is rare to see a PI village because masonry really wasn't used yet. Instead, the Anasazi laid slabs of stone upright as the foundation of walls. Above these were stick and mud constructed upper walls and ceilings. Once these materials collapse, all that is left are the upright slabs, which are usually covered in soil and sand.

Millions of PI red and unpainted pottery sherds and worked stone flakes covered the ground. At the tip of the mesa, next to the village were dozens of sandstone huercos holding water even during this dry month.


Boulder House:


Petroglyphs at the base of the Boulder:


The route to the top of the mesa:

The fortified wall across the mesa:

Trail leading through the "Gate":

Pueblo I pottery and artifacts:

Pueblo I roomblock:

Gypsie in the mesa tip water tanks (Huercos):