5MT129

Site type and location: Site 5MT129, Sand Canyon. Cliff dwelling (multiple settlement with domestic and religious structures), located in cliff shelter in the branch of the east side of Sand Canyon; facing directly south; elevation: 1795 m above sea level.

Dating: Late Pueblo III period (1225–1280 A.D.)

Description of the research: The investigations of the site and surrounding terrain were carried out periodically between 2013 and 2018 with focusing on non-invasive documentation: survey and recordation, drawing of all standing architecture (in the millimeter paper in the scale 1:20), preparing map of the site, collection of artifacts, and geophysics studies (mainly electrical resistivity) in 2013 and digital 3D documentation in 2017-2018. Digital documentation included mostly photogrammetry as well as laser scanning of the entire alcove and all the rooms and features, rock art panel, slope below the alcove and a part of the canyon and surroundings.

Rock art studies included documentation of the Ancestral Pueblo petroglyphs and several historical inscriptions/”modern graffiti”. Additionally, since 2019 archaeoastronomical observations connected with the rock art panel (during the winter and summer solstices and periods between them) are conducted and with the help of