Transactions of the Regional Archeological Symposium for Southeastern New Mexico and Western Texas: 2011 Page: 35
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wOne of the most concentrated groups of diverse pictographs is found on the north wall
panel and is shown in Figure 5.
"Shield"- Design with two straight lines on either side of a zigzag line which could be a
depiction of a snake or lightning bolt. The shield is 6 cm long at its largest length.
Rain Shamans Headgear- With thirteen quail topknots in a circle around two inner concentric
lines with a centralized dot. The concentric circle lines and the dot represent a dust devil or swirl
wind which appear during severe drought conditions in our western states. Quail either die out or
move out of an area when a drought occurs. The rain shaman uses these quail symbols to appeal
to his spirit deity for help in breaking the drought weather conditions and have the quail return so
they can be hunted for food. The headgear is 8 cm at its widest radius.
(1) Zigzag pattern- If it is a snake it is related to (A)the fracture or crack in the rock which
the rock art literature describes many times as the entry into the underground spirit world
used by the Shaman and this snake is one of the shaman "helpers". Otherwise, since a
lightning bolt is a rain symbol, this zigzag line could be one because it is located in
proximity to the Rain Shamans headgear on this panel. The zigzag is 10 cm in length.
(2) Bison- Archeological evidence suggests the bison returned to the Trans Pecos during late
archaic times and were still being hunted during the historic period. The proximity of the
bison on this panel to the anthropomorph with a bow and arrow (6) could suggest its age
is related to the time frame of the introduction of the bow in this area. The bison in 11cm
long from head to end of tail.
(3) Canine (?)- This is a depiction of what is probably a large headed dog used for hunting by
the Native Americans. Another hunting scene on this same panel has a small headed dog
barking and chasing deer into a net or trap. The size of these two dogs was not
determined.
(4) Anthropomorph with Bow and Arrow- The archeological literature currently indicates the
bow and arrow was introduced in the Trans Pecos between 600 and 900 A.D. Kirkland
recorded a similar scene at the Rock Pile Ranch in the Davis Mountains. The male
anthropomorph with his arm bent behind him while pulling on the bow string is 11 cm
tall. One other faint and spalling anthropomorph is found on this panel and may be
throwing an atlatl.
35
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Transactions of the Regional Symposium for Southeastern New Mexico and Western Texas: Index to Volumes 1-57 [1965-2024] (Book)
Index to the proceedings of the regional archeological symposium including separate lists by subject, title, author, and volume along with subject categories, a map of regions, and Texas county abbreviations.
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Robertson, Pinky. Transactions of the Regional Archeological Symposium for Southeastern New Mexico and Western Texas: 2011, book, 2012; Midland, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1661492/m1/41/?rotate=90: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Southwestern Federation of Archaeological Societies.