« Posts tagged barrier canyon style

Sheep Whisperer

Sheep Whisperer

While exploring the San Rafael Swell last month, I came across this small but very detailed pictograph panel. It’s not the best preserved site I have ever been to, but there’s still enough detail here to see what’s going on. The figure on the left has it’s arms outstretched just like the main figure in the Ascending Sheep Panel. Looking closer, this figure might even have the same bighorn sheep head and snake tongue, too? The next figure on the right appears to be playing a flute and there seems to be a very skinny snake above them both. What a very cool site!

When I arrived at this site it was in direct sunlight and didn’t photograph very well, but I liked this panel so much that I hung around for about an hour until the panel was completely in the shade. I’m glad I did because my photos turned out much better.

>> Northern San Rafael Swell Rock Art

Snakes in Hands

Snakes in Hands

This photo shows part of a Barrier Canyon Style pictograph panel found in one of the most unusual places, as it is found inside a large hollowed-out boulder. Once you stick your head inside (or your whole body since it’s big enough), you are treated to a spectacular 360 degree display of ancient paintings. The main solidly-painted figure in the photo above seems to be holding no less than five snakes in it’s outstretched hands and then there is the dotted-figure next to it with a fringed bottom. Below these main figures you can see many of the other intriguing figures painted here in red and yellow pigment. This is a very interesting site that I would like to visit again when I am not rushed for time.

>> From the Maze to the Mesa

Perfect Ghost

Perfect Ghost

I know I posted a photo from the Perfect Panel on Monday, but I feel like posting one more this week. This is the largest anthropomorph found at this site which resembles the large figures found at the Great Gallery in Horseshoe Canyon. It’s amazing how well preserved it is!

>> From the Maze to the Mesa

Decorated Anthropomorph

Decorated Anthropomorph

Here’s a small Barrier Canyon Style petroglyph found near Moab in an area containing many newer Ute petroglyphs and pictographs that I visited on Saturday. The decorations on the torso are very interesting and so is the dotted circle around the top portion of this figure. It also appears to have one leg extending down from the torso.

>> The Blue Buffalo & The Owl

Thumbs Down

Thumbs Down

This is one of my favorite photos taken at The Perfect Panel on my trip there this spring. This panel is also known as The Hitchhiker because from a distance it appears that this anthropomorph has an extended thumb. Looking closely you will see that there is actually a small zoomorph just below the lower finger. Very interesting!

>> From the Maze to the Mesa