History
The Hohokam people were the first miners in the area. They mined andesite, which was useful for making agave knives. Andesite knives that originated from Hohokham mines within the monument perimeter have been found as far south as the Sea of Cortez in Mexico.
Silver and copper mining began in the Silverbell Mountains around 1850 and continues today. Bighorn sheep ewes prefer mine tailings for lambing grounds because the high, steep and open terrain enables them to see and escape from predators.
Read more about this topic: Ironwood Forest National Monument
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