Spider Rock, Canyon de Chelly, Arizona

Spider Rock looms high above the canyon floor, shining in the last light of day. Its shadow is cast on the adjacent canyon wall. In Navajo legend, “Spider Woman” lives on atop the tall monument. She is one of the Navajo's most important deities and the subject of many tales. In one, it is said that she comes down at night to take children who are disobedient to the top of the rock, where they are devoured. The white rocks on top of the tower are said to be their bleached bones. Five periods of native American culture dating from A.D. 348 are represented in Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona.