La Quemada, the ‘burnt one’, is a ruined city just to the northwest of Guadalajara in Mexico.

Not much is known about the inhabitants of this city other than the fact it was occupied from 500 to 900 AD and then abandoned.
The only other visitors were a couple of Americans touring around with a guide and discussing empires. “This city lasted 400 years; I wonder how long the Bush empire will last?” the woman asked.
The surrounding lands were very arid. Taking advantage of the American’s guide I asked all sorts of questions about the plants in the area. He told us this fruit is called ‘fake wild berry’ and it’s poisonous……adding that most desert plants and animals are either poisonous or sharp and prickly in some way.
Pilotes are circling, “waiting for exhausted tourists,” cautioned our ‘borrowed’ guide.
He also told us that these were the bones of tourists but I suspect not. I have no idea why they are displayed like this; I guess that’s what happens when you ‘borrow’ someone else’s guide.
Apparently there were rattlesnakes kept ‘under the counter’ in the gift shop — guess the source of this tidbit. I didn’t try for any photos of the snakes though, just one of some pottery in the adjacent museum.