Rock Shelter, Carrizo Gorge, Anza-Borrego State Park
It is thought that the above pictographs were made during male
initiation
rites and after the
participants had ingested the hallucinogenic desert plant,
jimsonweed ( Datura sp.)
It is thought that the above pictographs were made during male
initiation
rites and after the
participants had ingested the hallucinogenic desert plant,
jimsonweed ( Datura sp.)
It is theorized that the depictions of the sheep had nothing
to do with hunting but were a metaphor for the shaman's
ritual death (i.e., going into a trance) in order to communicate
with the sheep and gain the power to make rain.
The following pictographs are more mysterious in nature
Rock shelter in Cahuilla territory, near Anza, CA
Rock Shelter, Indian Hill, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Lizard Pictograph, Jacumba Mtns., CA
Unusual human-like skeleton pictographs near ancient burial
ground, Inkopah Mtns., CA
A mysterious petroglyph in a canyon near Ocotillo, CA
The next petrogyph is very unusual and consists only of
incised
lines and circles.
This type of rock art, known as Pit and Groove, is thought to be
some of the oldest rock art in North America
Pit and Groove Petroglyph, Coyote Mtns.
The following rock carvings, called yonis, are thought to be associated with female fertility:
Carved Yoni near Solstice Cave, Upper Indian Valley, Anza-Borrego
State Park
Large Carved Yoni on Indian Hill, Anza-Borrego
Three small carved yonis, Indian Hill
Yoni near Canebrake
Rock Shelter in Anza Borrego,
pictures by Tim and collage with filters by Stan
© 2009 Don Gennero
natureboy4 at cox dot net