Posts Tagged With: American Southwest

Kokopelli Rock Art Site – Pictographs

Kokopelli Rock Art Site

This Pictograph of the ‘Hump-back Flute Player’ is just one depiction of Kokopelli that can be found at several locations throughout the Southwestern United States

'Kokopelli' Pictograph

Kokopelli Rock Art Site is located in Colorado, United States near these coordinates.

N 39° 52.439 W 108° 43.921

12S E 693958 N 4416232

The figure of Kokopelli is often associated with Anasazi mythology. His appearance at this site indicates a tie with other civilized cultures in the four corners region of the southwest including the area of Mesa Verde. Some scholars believe that Kokopelli was a traveling trader carrying a pack and entertained his customers by playing his flute. Still others believe him to be a trickster, a seducer of maidens, a fertility symbol, a rain priest, or even a hunting magician! Theories abound but the only real evidence is the Rock Art itself. What do you think?

This site has several interpretive signs for studying the cultural history of the area. The main Kokopelli Rock Art panel has been reinforced to keep it from falling from the cliff face. You will notice a large cable bolted to the rock across Kokopelli’s midsection.

There are more Freemont and Ute painted and pecked figures at this location. Not much exercise here – very easy access. There is a BLM sign directly along Colorado Highway 139 and a parking area across the road from the Rock Art panels. The listed coordinates are from the parking area directly across from Kokopelli.
As always with this and other Ancient Rock Art, remember that it is very Fragile and deserves our utmost respect. Take only pictures and memories! Do Not Touch as even the oils in your skin can cause the paints and rock surfaces to deteriorate. Erosion and weathering have taken a toll on many of these sites but people touching the sandstone and ‘outlining in chalk’ causes much more damage!

The Antiquities Act of 1906 and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act provides serious penalties for vandals

Categories: Rock Art Sites | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cow Canyon Rock Art – Petroglyphs

Cow Canyon Rock Art site is just one of several Native American Pictograph and Petroglyph sites located in the Canyon Pintado National Historic District.

Cow Canyon Rock Art

Cow Canyon Rock Art is located in Southwestern Colorado in the United States near these coordinates.

N 39° 53.297 W 108° 43.702

12S E 694230 N 4417827

These Pictographs and Petroglyphs are accessible from a turnoff into Philadelphia Draw from Colorado Highway 139 in Western Colorado. After turning East toward Philadelphia Draw you will almost immediately turn South and cross two cattle guards before turning toward the East again.

There are several different objects visible at this site from both the Fremont and Ute cultures. Some of the Rock Art objects are difficult to find at first without a trained eye. Take your time and look around.

You will note some vandalism of the Rock Art as well as a few more ‘modern’ additions. As always with this and other Ancient Rock Art remember that it is very Fragile and deserves our utmost respect. Take only pictures and memories! Do Not Touch as even the oils in your skin can cause the paints and rock surfaces to deteriorate. Erosion and weathering have taken a toll on many of these sites but people touching the sandstone and ‘outlining in chalk’ causes much more damage!

The Antiquities Act of 1906 and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act provides serious penalties for vandals

Categories: Rock Art Sites | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rochester Creek Rock Art – Petroglyphs

The Rochester Creek Rock Art Site is located overlooking a scenic canyon and contains numerous images awaiting your interpretation.

Rochester Creek Petroglyph Panel

Rochester Creek Rock Art is located in Southern Utah near these coordinates.

N 38° 54.186 W 111° 11.880

12S E 482831 N 4306042

The Rochester Creek Rock Art is easy to access via a maintained gravel road. There is a good sized parking area and a short half-mile hike to reach the site. Towns are few and far between. There is ‘primitive’ camping available in the immediate area.

The Rochester Creek Rock Art Panel is thought to be a combination of writings from three distinct styles, the Barrier Canyon style (also known as Archaic), the Fremont style and the later Ute. The Barrier Canyon style is generally known for its painted human like figures also found in several locations in the surrounding area. Most of the images here are pecked into the rock face. The main panel here is crowded with many pictures of animals including elk, a snake, a spider, and other odd looking creatures. The main standout figure is that of the ‘Rainbow’ which is around four feet tall and thought to represent the galaxy and constellations.

Native Americans painted and chipped their religious visions, clan symbols, and records of events onto these cliffs. In this region you will find the Barrier Canyon Style – 2000BC; Anasazi – 100BC; Fremont – AD600; and Historic Ute – AD1300-AD1600;

Please respect this and all such Rock Art. Also Please Note that the Antiquities Act of 1906 and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act provides serious penalties for vandals. Please Do Not Touch as even the oils in your skin can cause the paints and rock surfaces to deteriorate.

featured waymark

Categories: Rock Art Sites | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lone Warrior Rock Art – Pictograph

Lone Warrior Pictograph Panel

Lone Warrior Rock Art – Pictographs

Lone Warrior Rock Art Panel is located in the San Rafael Swell area of Southeastern Utah in the United States near these coordinates.

N 38° 51.197 W 110° 48.225

12S E 517028 N 4300513

The Lone Warrior Rock Art is well worth logging a visit while you are exploring the region of America’s Southeast. The Native American painted panel is accessible from a graveled and then a dirt road on the south side of Interstate Highway 70. The coordinates listed here are directly in front of the Pictograph. It is easily visible on the cliff face that faces southwest. This is the only figure at this location though there are others nearby.

.
Native Americans painted and chipped their religious visions, clan symbols, and records of events onto these cliffs. In this region you will find the Barrier Canyon Style – 2000BC; Anasazi – 100BC; Fremont – AD600; and Historic Ute – AD1300-AD1600;

Please respect this and all such Rock Art. Also Please Note that the Antiquities Act of 1906 and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act provides serious penalties for vandals. Please Do Not Touch as even the oils in your skin can cause the paints and rock surfaces to deteriorate.

Categories: Rock Art Sites | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Three Canyons Rock Art – Pictographs

Three Canyons Rock Art – Pictographs
There are several Pictograph and Petroglyph Rock Art Panels located near the mouths of three canyons in the Bookcliffs of Southeastern Utah. These date from 1000 to 3000 years ago and are typical of the Fremont and Barrier Canyon style found in this area.

Book Cliffs Rock Art Panel

 

Three Canyons Rock Art is located in Southeastern Utah in the United States near these coordinates.

N 39° 16.496 W 109° 17.101

12S E 647931 N 4348688

There are no signs indicating that this Rock Art exists. There are 2 somewhat main routes into the area, one from I-70 and the easiest off old unmaintained, Highway 6. Both roads meet at this sign.

The listed coordinates are from a parking pullout along the main dirt road into the area. Please Respect the Private Property on both sides of the road at this particular point. Look toward your left(west) and up for the first panels. You will reenter BLM land a few 100 yards further. Look toward your right for a number of Pictographs(painted rock) across the wash. The road does continue for many miles where it branches from Hay Canyon to Dark Canyon. This is very rugged country and mostly used by oil and gas field workers as well as hunters.

 

For viewing the Petroglyphs (carved stone) you should return to the junction of Hay and East Canyons and follow the road into East Canyon. Look toward your left for a close view of the Rock Art typical of this area.

 

Native Americans painted and chipped their religious visions, clan symbols, and records of events onto these cliffs. Specifically the Barrier Canyon Style – 2000BC; Anasazi – 100BC; Fremont – AD600; Historic Ute – AD1300-AD1600;

 

 You will note that even in this remote location that some of the panels have been vandalized by thoughtless individuals including some photographers who think that outlining the art in chalk is a ‘good thing’. Just Don’t! You will also notice a few more ‘modern’ additions.

 

If you are in the area you might want to visit some other nearby sites that will post here. And Please Remember that the Antiquities Act of 1906 and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act provides serious penalties for vandals. Please Do not touch as even the oils in your skin can cause the paints and rock surfaces to deteriorate.

 

Categories: Rock Art Sites | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ancient Graffiti

Pictographs and Petroglyphs, Anthromorphs and Zoomorphs. Pecked, Painted, Scribed, or Brushed, this particular surface here on WordPress is designated to Rock Art. Ancient Rock Art. Especially that of our Ancestral Native Americans.

Here I will provide a plethora of information and personal insight from decades of research and up close encounters from throughout the Greater American Southwest landscape. This is where one can experience the vast canvas of Mesas, Mountains, Deserts, and Canyons and hopefully develop a shared appreciation for Ancient Graffiti.

To Tell or Not To Tell …

To divulge the closely held ‘secret’ locations of our Ancient Native American panels of Rock Art has always a been a sort of dividing line amongst those that seek out such knowledge for whatever personal reason. Whether it be a devout Archaeologist or just a novice Photographer I seriously doubt that even any degree between ether side of the spectrum lies in wait that dreaded Vandal.

I also understand mankind’s inherent greed and also occasional altered mental states brought about by various indulgences as demonstrated by those brought to justice for deeds against our Rock Art. Contrary though, the more knowledge that is shared, the more educated the masses become, and societal outlook on Artifacts and Archaeological Evidence molds to more natural moral respect. Additionally more observers equals a more varied interpretational base.

So ask and I might just tell

Categories: Views and Opinions | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Blog at WordPress.com.