AKA Colorado Plateau Picto Cruise
by Rob Jones, Wild Vagabond
(October, 2019)
Text © copyright by Rob; and Photos © copyright by Rob Jones
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Rock Art Rhapsody on the Colorado Plateau:
AKA Colorado Plateau Picto Cruise by Rob Jones, Wild Vagabond (October, 2019) Text © copyright by Rob; and Photos © copyright by Rob Jones |
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Camera - Panasonic DMC-ZS60
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Rock Art Rhapsody photos continue below this block of text.
Overview: This is a photo report about a picto hunting
tour of the Western part of the Grand Canyon region. It's Rock Art Rhapsody on the Colorado Plateau, AKA Colorado Plateau Picto Cruise.
Pictos, or pictographs, are painted rock art while petros,
petroglyphs, are rock art made by pecking into rocks - often into desert varnish because of the contrast
between scored and native surfaces. Many of the featured pictos in this overview are polychrome (multiple pigments) in style.
Desert varnish, also called Patina, thin, dark red to black
mineral coating (generally iron and manganese oxides and silica) deposited on pebbles and rocks on the surface
of desert regions. As dew and soil moisture brought to the surface by capillarity evaporate, their dissolved
minerals are deposited on the surface; studies indicate that the varnish materials generally are extracted from
the surrounding rock and earth material. Wind abrasion removes the softer salts and polishes the patina to a glossy
finish. The rate of varnish formation varies: it generally is thought to take about 2,000 years for it to form in arid
areas, because it coats artifacts and natural objects known to be of such antiquity; but it has formed in less than
50 years in the Mojave Desert. Both high evaporation rates and sufficient precipitation are necessary for desert
varnish formation. (paraphrased - Brittanica.com)
Polychromatic Pictos: I found an excellent description of GC area
polychromatic pictos,
written by Mary K. Allen
Comparing Barrier Canyon rock art with Grand Canyon Polychrome
Unlike Barrier Canyon sites which typically have figures spaced out across a panel in a parade-like manner, the composition
of Grand Canyon Polychrome work is more crowded. There seem to be instances of contemporary superimposition (i.e.
Grand Canyon Polychrome on top of Grand Canyon Polychrome). However, these Grand Canyon sites were utilized over
a long period of time; the crowded appearance and superimposition is partially due to additions of later pictographs on
top of older Grand Canyon Polychrome figures. Sorting out older versus younger elements on these complex panels can
be a difficult task.
Although this Rock Art Rhapsody did not occur in the Grand Canyon, it was sort-of close to The Canyon.
So, I'm including it in the "Grand Canyon" reports. Yes, it was on the Colorado Plateau. See the below map for the exact area of this Picto Cruise.
No, you will not see references to where this tour occurred or any sort of
reference points to where these pictos and petros might be. Certainly, no GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinates
will be divulged. Do not ask.
In fact, I am omitting all reference photos and even references to co-adventurers
and exact dates to protect this fabulous rock art. So, it's a photo tour and no more.
"Though closely related to the Barrier Canyon Style rock art of southeastern
Utah, and to the Pecos River rock art of Texas, the Grand Canyon Polychrome pictographs have a unique combination
of characteristics, and more subjectively, a unique look. The similarities between these three styles may be attributed
to the "Pan-Archaic" tradition which seems to encompass most of the western United States. When sorting out the
traits exhibited in the Grand Canyon Polychrome Style, it almost appears to be a synthesis of Great Mural, Barrier
Canyon, and Pecos River rock art.
Noteworthy traits of Grand Canyon Polychrome include anthropomorphs with
life-like details such as eyelashes, toes, and pupils; phallic males are occasionally seen. Sometimes figures are
portrayed in a whimsical fashion, with smiling expressions. Anthropomorphs whose arms are slender and outstretched,
and often originate below the neck/shoulder level. Many figures have narrow shoulders and elongated torsos, though
a few have trapezoidal shaped bodies. Arms, legs, and feet, as well as torsos, are commonly decorated with stripes,
dots, or rectangles, giving some figures a "jailbird look". Another recurring attribute is a head with cat-like ears or with
"horns". Frequently no distinction is made between the head and body, i.e. figures are "neckless"with large decorated
trapezoids or elongated rectangles forming the anthropomorph's silhouette.
In addition to anthropomorphs, Grand Canyon Polychrome artwork displays
spread-winged birds, bighorn sheep, deer, pelt-like objects, and abstract symbols. Birds are occasionally positioned
near the head of an anthropomorph like "spirit guides". The quadrupeds, like the anthropomorphs, are frequently
painted with outlined bodies, subdivided inside into geometric shapes. A small shrimp-like, crescent-shaped creature
appears occasionally, positioned near one or more anthropomorphs. Round decorated "shields" are quite common,
as are rayed disks resembling sunflowers.
The range of pigments in the Grand Canyon Polychrome panels includes at least
nine distinct shades: dark brownish red, light terra cotta red, cream, white, black, lime green, forest green, yellow ochre,
and light yellow. Dark red and cream are the most commonly used colors.
Like the Barrier Canyon Style, the Grand Canyon Polychrome Style focuses on
anthropomorphic characters, though the mummy-like body shape common in many Barrier Canyon panels is rarely seen
in Grand Canyon. However, both traditions share the "x-ray" body style showing what appears to be skeletal structure (i.e. ribs).
The Grand Canyon figures are usually carefully rendered. They often have elongated
rectangular or trapezoidal-shaped bodies, and round, bulbous, or trapezoidal- shaped heads. Some have one or two
horns on top of their heads. There are a number of double-headed anthropomorphs. A few figures are depicted with
"snakes" or wavy lines near them. One key trait that does link the Barrier Canyon and Grand Canyon pictographs is the
occasional presence of tiny quadrupeds (and in one case tiny anthropomorphs) flanking larger anthropomorphs.
Another similarity between Grand Canyon Polychrome and Barrier Canyon Styles
is the absence of weapons. There are no depictions of atlatls or bow and arrows as are often seen in later rock art. This,
and other factors, would point to an early date, probably Archaic, for these styles. However, it is possible this exclusion of
weapons may be attributed to the artwork's function. Perhaps the panel's purpose was to illustrate a shaman's vision or a
tribal myth, rather than perform hunting magic. This idea conforms with the larger-than-life supernatural aspect of many
Grand Canyon Polychrome panels."
Description written by Mary K. Allen
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Related Links:
Description of GC area
polychromatic pictos, by Mary K. Allen
Other WV reports about the Grand Canyon area:
Click here or on the Looking Lizard to go to all WV reports about The Grand Canyon area
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More Truth Than Joke:
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