Preservation Archaeologist Aaron Wright explores the rock art of the Hohokam and Patayan traditions in southwestern Arizona. The podcast discusses the significance of prehistoric rock imagery, controversies surrounding its dating, and the analytical techniques used to study and preserve these ancient artworks.
Rock art reflects a shared system of symbols and signs, used in different ritual contexts.
Rock art can be classified into petroglyphs, pictographs, and ground figures, offering a unique form of rock imagery.
Deep dives
The Significance of Rock Art
Rock art, spanning across the world in various forms, holds significant cultural and historical value. It is a fundamental part of the human experience and can be found on every continent. While there are common symbols such as circles and spirals, regionally distinct styles emerge as people incorporate their own cultural traditions. In the American Southwest, rock art is associated with specific archaeological traditions like the Ho-Hokum and Pottery Traditions. The imagery reflects a shared system of symbols and signs, which were likely used in different ritual contexts, including seasonal ceremonies, initiation rituals, and trail ritualism.
Types of Rock Art
Rock art can be classified into two main categories: petroglyphs and pictographs. Petroglyphs are rock carvings made by chiseling or abrading the rock surface, while pictographs involve adding pigments or colorants to create an image. Sometimes, these techniques are combined, and there are also ground figures or geoglyphs found in the southwestern US and southeastern California. These ground figures can be impressed into the ground or constructed on top, serving as a unique form of rock imagery.
The Importance and Challenges of Rock Art Study
The study of rock art provides insights into the cultural landscapes and religious practices of past civilizations. Rock imagery is intentional and designed for permanence, making it a valuable tool for understanding human history. However, dating rock art remains a challenge. While stylistic analysis and superpositioning can provide relative age estimates, accurate dating techniques are still being developed. Advances in digital technology have aided in documenting and analyzing rock art, but a comprehensive understanding of the subject may take time to achieve.
What could the prehistoric artists of North America have in common with the graffiti artists of today? Picked into the rocks of southwestern Arizona, a couple hour drive from Tucson, are marks of the Patayan and Hohokam traditions. The petroglyphs are an insight into these civilisations, their religions and their lives.
Aaron Wright is a Preservation Archaeologist whose research is currently focused on the Hohokam and Patayan traditions. He joined Don to explore what this rock art has in common with sites across North America, and what makes it different.
Produced by Sophie Gee. Edited by Siobhan Dale. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.
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