Yesterday and today we were treated to some diverse scenery of the Lower Pecos Region. Yesterday we examined the incredible landscape contained on the SHUMLA Ranch guided by Elton Prewitt, Dr. Steve Black, and Dr. Carolyn Boyd. Their presence made our walk across this unique area very educational. The SHUMLA Ranch area encompasses several small canyons and valleys that empty into the Pecos River. As such, there are a wide variety of excellent archaeological sites situated along the surrounding uplands while the side canyons and overhangs contain incredible rock shelters. These all culminated in a vibrant contrast of prehistoric activities of the Lower Pecos region, which reminded us of the rich archaeological record that is present here. Some of the high points yesterday were our visit to a wikiup site in the plateau uplands and a rock shelter situated in one of the side canyons.
At the wikiup site we observed several artifacts suggesting Late Prehistoric habitation. Further, based upon the sparsity of cultural materials, the site appears to have been minimally used within a single time period. In contrast, the rock shelter appears to contain abundant materials built up over a broad span of time. This site seems to date at least to the Late Archaic. Our visit to this site was bittersweet as we observed that some erosion and looting have taken their toll on this irreplaceable resource.
We concluded our inspection of the SHUMLA Ranch by visiting an unusual cave near the Pecos River. This phenomenon is actually a natural tunnel that goes through the large plateau with one entrance on the Pecos River and one on a tributary drainage valley. Very unique and we all speculated on how such a geological feature would have been perceived by the prehistoric inhabitants of the area.
Today we had the treat of visiting the White Shaman shelter, which words fail to adequately describe. As Dr. Boyd observed today, this panel for its size, has more anthropomorphic images than possibly all the others in the Lower Pecos. Regardless, no matter how many times you visit this site it leaves the viewer awestruck by its imagery and stimulates your curiosity. We all spent the day at the shelter recording aspects of the panel and left with a deeper appreciation for it and the Lower Pecos rock art in general. We anxiously await our next visit to yet another spectacular Lower Pecos archaeological site.-Ken Texas State University
1 comments:
Looks like you guys are having a great time. I wish I were there!
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