Huerfano Butte (Arizona)

Huerfano Butte (English: "Orphan Butte") is a small rocky butte located on the western flank of the Santa Rita Mountains in southeastern Pima County, Arizona [1]. Huerfano Butte and the surrounding area were utilized by the Hohokam as early as circa 1100 CE [1]. Shallow bedrock forces ground water to surface in a small pool located in a wash on the south side of the butte [1]. Exposed outcrops of granite on either side of the wash have about fifty bedrock mortars, at least two small bedrock metates, and numerous smaller cupules [1]. Along the same wash is a vertical stone surface with approximately two dozen weathered pictographs painted in red hematite [1]. In 1965, Huerfano Butte gained public notoriety when a young girl discovered an extensive prehistoric jewelry cache while on a picnic with her family [1]. While exploring cracks and crevices on the butte, the young girl discovered a small pottery jar filled with about 1,500 turquoise and glycimeris shell beads and pendants [1].