February 2, 2015: Painted Rock Petroglyph Site (continued).
The petroglyph site is the two
–humped rocky outcropping in the foreground.
This is the view from our campsite.
First, a little background on the indigenous peoples that came
before us.
Here’s a quote from a plaque at the
Painted Rock Petroglyph Site:
Studies based on datable evidence and pottery styles suggest that the petroglyphs here represent both the Western Archaic tradition and Gila Style. The Western Archaic tradition is an earlier style attributed to a hunting and gathering culture that lived in this region between approximately 7500 BC to about AD 1. They include geometric and abstract elements such as grids, circle chains, concentric rings, circle clusters, circles, zigzags, and parallel and wavy lines. The Gila Style is a later design attributed to a group of farmers that archeologists call the Hohokam. They lived in Central and Southern Arizona between about 300 BC and AD 1450. This style typically includes designs of animals, insects, human shapes, plants, circles, and zigzags.
With that information under our belts, here’s the really cool
beans part.
The area of interest is the dark,
sheltered space below the balanced rocks at the top of the photo.
This is a photo of an average
day of sunshine peeking through the balanced rocks. The area remains mostly in shadow. But, every year on February 2nd at
approximately 1:45 pm, a shaft of sunlight beams through the rocks and points
directly at the “cross” petroglyph. (The
“cross” is between the human figure on the left and the sun on the right.)
This photo was taken by Sid Richardson, our
camp neighbor, showing the beam streaking through the rocks above. He said that he could visually see the beam
of light in person, although it doesn’t show up clearly in the photo. He gave me permission to use his photo (since
I was oblivious to the occurrence taking place and missed the shot myself).
The information plaque didn’t
mention the cross as being a symbol depicted by either of these groups of
people, but the fact is, it’s there – etched by one of these groups of
people. So, whether nature “created” the circumstances for the
beam on the cross, or one of the cultures of people chipped the petroglyph
exactly where the beam pierced through the rocks above, it shall remain a mystery. Either way, it’s a very cool phenomenon.
This area isn’t known only for the petroglyphs. It’s also part of the Butterfield Overland
Trail.
As we’re walking along the trail
that leads around the petroglyph mounds, we come upon a gentleman busily
looking through pages of notes and sketches he has brought with him.
I strike up a conversation with him. His name is Gerald Ahnert – a historian. He’s enjoying a little down time before doing
a presentation at the Gila Bend library in a couple of days. He shows us a photo of a section of petroglyphs
as sketched by the original surveyor back in the 1800’s. He’s comparing “then” and “now”. The petroglyphs have held up remarkably well
over 100-plus years. He flips a book
open and says, “See this sketch of a horse and buggy with the petroglyph mounds
in the background? You are standing
right where that horse and buggy was at the time the sketch was done.” He talks about the Oatman Massacre and points
to the nearest mesa to the west, “The burial site is in the valley beyond that
mesa. The massacre actually happened on
the next mesa farther west.” Gerald goes
into great detail about the history of the area, bringing it to life as he
vividly describes events. He is
passionate about what he does, and has dedicated over 40 years researching the 400-mile
trail through Arizona.
Without Gerald happening along “our
trail” we would have missed a great deal of insight into the history of this
area. He made our day special.
If you’re a history buff, check out this book and others by Gerald Anhert. “TheButterfield Trail and Overland Mail Company in Arizona 1858–1861”.
We’re back on the road tomorrow –
California or Bust. Until next time – be
safe.
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