Located about 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, the Valley of Fire State Park stretches across 40,000 acres of the Mojave Desert, with striking examples of Aztec Sandstone peering out of the sand.
The rock formations of the Valley of Fire formed in the shifting sandstones of prehistoric deserts 150 million years ago. Dated to the Jurassic period, these rocky outcroppings have borne witness to the desert throughout all of human history. Petroglyphs created by the ancient Anasazi people can be found throughout the park, often consisting of carved and stained renderings of animals.
For 1,500 years, these indigenous people hunted and gathered food in the harsh Mojave. The dry environment likely meant that the Anasazi traveled through the area instead of staying for long periods of time.
The incredible journey of the Anasazi, meaning the “Ancient Ones,” unfolded across the Four Corners region from 200 to 1300 AD, shaping the roots of the modern Pueblo Indians . Recent breakthroughs reveal a mesmerizing link to archaic wanderers around 6000 B.C., gradually evolving into the unique Anasazi culture by the last millennium B.C. These visionary people transitioned from wandering and hunting to embracing maize horticulture in the last two centuries B.C., with A.D. 1200 marking a sensational turning point as horticulture took center stage in their flourishing economy.
In 1933, the Federal government took an interest in protecting the unique features of the Valley of Fire. In the midst of the Great Depression, Civilian Conservation Corps workers built trails, campgrounds, and stone cabins in the park before handing it over to the Nevada State legislature.
Ripley’s recently headed out to the Valley of Fire to showcase the strange dance moves of Solto Esengulov , aka the Mutant of Dance.
Check the video below for a view of both the Mutant of Dance and the Valley of Fire.
