Petroglyph National Monument

In late June I made the trek from Idaho to New Mexico to begin a new job at the University of New Mexico. Fortunately, in route I had the opportunity to explore many of the beautiful mysteries of the ancient southwest which have always captured my imagination such as Cedar Mesa, Mesa Verde, and Chaco Canyon. Particularly, I have always been fascinated with petroglyphs and pictoglyphs so I was eager begin an exploration of Petroglyph National Monument upon arriving in Albuquerque, NM.


Immediately the realization that the monument is literally across the street from the sprawling suburbs of Albuquerque is an interesting striking juxtaposition.

Exploring with my brother we first checked in at the small Visitor's Center. The Center itself was once the home of Dr. Sophie Aberle who according to the park service was, "first practicing applied anthropologist in the United States. She was known as "Measuring Lady" by the Native Americans she worked with. Her research focused mainly on women's lives at the pueblos, including pregnancy, child birth, child care, diet and healing." (http://www.nps.gov/petr/index.htm)



At the visitors center we got directions to Piedras Marcadas Canyon which is two or three miles north of the visitors center through a couple of suburbs. Admittedly, I was quite skeptical of just how much I would enjoy antiquity when my jumping off point was just of the parking lot of a Jiffy Lube but literally 300 yards onto the trail we immediately felt a strange sense of solitude and the images carved on rocks captivated our attention.



They estimate there are over 20,000 carved images at Petroglyph National Monument and my brother and I were amazed at the detail and variety of images seemingly around every corner. Literally, it seemed as if on every rock there was an image.


I was exceptionally impressed with the detail and in the above photo of a man with what looks like feathers and elaborate attire.


Evidence of exotic birds such as parrots have always fascinated me. Throughout the southwest such evidence can be found as far north as Chaco Canyon and Southern Utah (the Edge of the Cedars Museum in Blanding, Utah has a beautiful parrot feather display in its collection).


This image had us speculating as to whether it is a depiction of the growing season with the sun high above the field and corn or maize growing from the ground?


Hands always bring a reverence when one thinks about the authorship of ancient images and brings reflection back to humanity and mortality.


Half of the joy of exploring the monument is trying to decipher meaning and speculating as to purpose. Was there meaning associated with the images or was the artist simply entertaining himself?

A few of my favorite images-

The bearded man.


Hands and a bird.


The Thunderbird.

Bear prints.

Ultimately, my brother and I came to a consensus that perhaps the meaning which one associates with the fading images should be left to the imagination.

Our initial foray into Petroglyph National Monument was extremely enjoyable and while I initially loathed the thought of being so close to civilization, the world felt seemingly far away and admittedly it was wonderful to make it to "happy hour" at Sonic after our desert wanderings!

For more information on Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque, New Mexico visit http://www.nps.gov/petr/index.htm (as of October 2009.