Pictograph Iconography and Geologic Realities at 41VV124 The White Shaman Mural

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2021: General Sessions" session, at the 86th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

The White Shaman Mural, a Pecos River style (PRS) rock art site located in a Pecos River tributary canyon, is dated from 2420 ± 80 to 1460 ± 80 RCYBP (radiocarbon years before present). At that time, prehistoric indigenous hunter-gatherers inhabited this semi-arid environment and traveled seasonally to obtain resources. Research indicates the mural represents cumulative knowledge and not solely artistic expression. Some icons may be spiritually significant or narrative. Others appear to represent survival resources.

One particular icon seems to represent four fountain springs of the South Texas Balcones Escarpment. These springs issue from the Edwards Aquifer and exist where hydraulic pressure is sufficient to force water up through wells and faults. Research indicates their importance prehistorically, historically and currently.

We tested the hypothesis that these icons represent a resource map of South Texas using Geographic Information Systems and research of historical records of indigenous/European contact. The creators seem to have established relative distance between the four springs measuring elapsed travel time. They accurately painted fountain spring icons on the mural spaced according to transit time.

Results of the research have implications for current and future PRS rock art interpretation.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 86th Annual Meeting, Online (2021)   •
• SAA 2021: General Sessions

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 32302