Petroglyphs of the Southern North Coast Ranges: A Study of Style and Meaning

Purpose of the Study: The lack of dating techniques for and ethnographic information about petroglyphs has usually led to their exclusion from analyses because they cannot be dated, and therefore, cannot be linked to a cultural sequence. In addition, the petroglyphs in the southern North Coast Ranges have two other attributes which have confounded researchers. These factors are the limited number of sites, and the simplicity and abstract nature of the petroglyph elements. Paradoxically, petroglyphs are one of the few preserved artifacts that have the potential to provide researchers with data about the ideological aspects of prehistoric cultures. The purpose of this study is to apply several interpretative methods to a large, regional petroglyph sample to identify meaning. Procedure: The results from the application of one or more interpretive methods to the petroglyph data from 174 sites found in the study area are presented under four section headings. These sections are petroglyph element and motif analysis; site environmental analysis; entoptic forms assessment; a symbolic analysis. The synthesis of this data and its correlation to a broader ethnographic and archaeological context are presented in a separate chapter. Findings: Results of the present research are drawn together and presented as a series of probability statements. Each of the numerous statement discussions reflect a trend rooted in the findings. One such statement, for example, finds that the incised line element may have been a petroglyph form associated with a ritual that was part of either the old ghost dance or with the Kuksu ceremonial cycle.