These geometric petroglyphs depict farm fields/vegetable gardens of The Mogollon (900-1400 AD), an early Native American hunter gatherer people who migrated through mid-Southern New Mexico and mid-Eastern Arizona, following the infrequent rains, the migration of Elk, Deer, Big Horn Sheep, and turkey. They supplemented their food source by planting corn, beans, and squash, and became good at it. Farming allowed groups to stay longer in one area, instead of constantly chasing dwindling populations of wild game. Farming would in time lead to the construction of more permanent housing for groups knowledgeable of growing vegetables.
The zig-zag lines depict the diversion of water from the gravel washes and creek bottoms that flow through this dry country. The squares and rectangles around them suggest the size and shape of the fields. By constantly changing the direction of flow, water velocity can be slowed allowing it to be kept in the garden longer, and soaked up by the dry sandy ground, which releases the minerals and nutrients locked up in partially decayed organic matter in the soil.
The lack of frequent rains, in desert regions allows the soil to retain / compound nutrients for many years, making the soil very fertile and productive with the addition of only water.
These people were serious about farming practice, as their lives depended on it. It is evident today, that they had a far greater knowledge and respect for the Earth than we do, as their race has long since moved on, and the desert here where hundreds of thousands of people lived is free of polution and junk. It has returned to the wild, and looks as if no one ever lived here. Only the foundations of a few small pit houses remain. High up on a rocky outcropping, 20,000 messages like these overlook a vast desert where all that is visible is a single modern day ranch house.
Art, gardening, and irrigation practice was a joy and celebration for these people. It inspired them to leave these timeless messages.
Images of Mogollon Petroglyphs
Three Rivers Petroglyph site New Mexico
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Rivers_Petroglyph_Site
These geometric petroglyphs depict farm fields/vegetable gardens of The Mogollon (900-1400 AD), an early Native American hunter gatherer people who migrated through mid-Southern New Mexico and mid-Eastern Arizona, following the infrequent rains, the migration of Elk, Deer, Big Horn Sheep, and turkey. They supplemented their food source by planting corn, beans, and squash, and became good at it. Farming allowed groups to stay longer in one area, instead of constantly chasing dwindling populations of wild game. Farming would in time lead to the construction of more permanent housing for groups knowledgeable of growing vegetables. 
The zig-zag lines depict the diversion of water from the gravel washes and creek bottoms that flow through this dry country. The squares and rectangles around them suggest the size and shape of the fields. By constantly changing the direction of flow, water velocity can be slowed allowing it to be kept in the garden longer, and soaked up by the dry sandy ground, which releases the minerals and nutrients locked up in partially decayed organic matter in the soil.
Art, gardening, and irrigation practice was a joy and celebration for these people. It inspired them to leave these timeless messages.
