Casa Malpais was built about 1250 A.D. and was inhabited until about 1440 A.D.. It is one of the latest dating Mogollon Sites. This sixteen acre pueblo complex was built over basaltic lava flows that were laid down about 50,000 years ago. The builders took advantage of the deep fissures created by the lava flows and built some of their architecture underground. The complex consists of a large masonry pueblo, a Great Kiva, an enclosing wall, three masonry stairways, a prehistoric trail, numerous isolated rooms, sacred chambers, rock art panels, and an astronomical observatory.This page is dedicated to the astronomical observatory and the numerous sun watch areas that are associated with this site. The astronomical associations with this site are still under investigation and new hypothesis are in the process of being formed; so this page will bring them to light as they are developed. No direct connections have been made with the modern day Native Americans and the inhabitants of Casa Malpais, by archaeologists; however both the Hopi and the Zuni People claim affinity to the site through oral traditions. In fact, what may have been the last of the public "Buffalo Dances" was performed at Casa Malpais.
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| A Colorful Local Resident! | "Fort Redondo" Ruins Located In Cottonwood Grove |
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| Large Prehistoric Cleared Ceremonial Area? Last Public "Buffalo Dance" Was Performed Here! Located Below The Observatory | Possible Remains Of Dwelling? In The Ceremonial Area! |
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| "Buffalo Dance" Was Performed In The Top Center Of Clearing Small White Stones Mark Area | Small "Lower Caste" Observatory? Needs Research! |
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| Prehistoric Trails Lead To the Observatory. Cliffs In Background Throw Shadows Into The Observatory! Looking North Toward Cliffs | The Observatory Looking To The South SouthEast. The Background Door Opens To The South. |
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| South Back Wall Offset Opening Important For Equinox And Winter Solstice | Center Of Picture North Gate True North / South Alignment |
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| Observatory View From Pueblos | West Gate Near Bush On Right Side Of Picture Notice Alter Marker Nearby |
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| Slate True South Marker Offset South Gate | True North Gate Aligns With True South Marker |
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| Several Small Residence Rooms Notice Small Sealed Door | Doorway Between These Rooms Has Collapsed! |
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| Possible Frog Glyphs? | The Large Rectuangular Kiva |
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| This Needs Research Possible Sun Watch Station? | Possible Small Shrine? Looking South SouthEast |
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| Unknown Glyph? | Possible Corn Glyphs? |
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| Faint Sun Glyphs On Cliff Wall | Spring Cross Quarter Day May 5th Shadow & Light Moves Across Sun Circle From Left Rock | What Glyphs Might Be Hidden In The Shadows Here? |
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| Corn Petroglyphs Near Green Bush In Center Of Picture Water Falls Near Glyphs! | During Solstice Shadow & Light Travels Across The Glyphs From Rock On The Left! | Possible Parrot Glyph Corn Plant Below Female Figure Next L & R Lizard People Ancestral Beings |
