« Posts tagged canyon pintado

The Guardian

The Guardian

Say hello to The Guardian. This prominent figure greets you as you enter the Canyon Pintado National Historic District from the south. Located at the White Hands site, it’s a very short walk to visit this pictograph along the highway. Is this anthropomorph Barrier Canyon Style or is it Fremont? According to the interpretative sign below, it is believed that this figure might be from a transitional period between Barrier Canyon Style and Fremont. Either way, this is a very unique pictograph in a highly visible location.

>> White River Area Rock Art

Climbing Hands

Climbing Hands

A pair of white hands reach for the sky within the Canyon Pintado National Historic District in Western Colorado. These are located at the White Hands Site (good name, eh?) which is the first site you will come across when traveling from the south. There are some other pictographs scattered around this site as well.

>> White River Area Rock Art

A Thousand Year Old Record, Gone in A Day!

A Thousand Year Old Record, Gone in A Day!

Rock art is thought to represent the spiritual expression of people who lived here long ago. The fremont people who lived here from about AD 500 to AD 1100 left symbols on the rock which had tremendous meaning to them. The Shield site remains an example of what vandalism can do to a once beautiful and interesting archaeological site.

Parties, camping, tree cutting and outright deliberate destruction of the rock art have destroyed this site. No scientific knowlege will ever be gained here. No quiet enjoyment is possible. And, no one can feel anything but sorrow while viewing the remains of symbols left by people over a thousand years ago.

It belongs to you.