There are more than 21,000 petroglyphs at Three Rivers. Petroglyph means rock carving. The petroglyphs at Three Rivers were made by the Native Americans referred to as the Jornada Mogollons. The artwork was done by using stone tools to remove the dark patina on the outside of the rock. Some of the petroglyphs were made by simply scratching through the patina to the light inner layer of the rock. The more detailed and vivid petroglyphs were made by using two rocks like a hammer and chisel to peck through the patina. Over time, some of the images are lighter than others. This is because the oxygen in the air comes in contact with the minerals in the rock's surface oxidation occurs making the the patina. Basically, the rock is turning back to its original black color. We saw evidence of this as we walked through the site.
View on the road to Three Rivers. Amazing! The Sierra Blanca Mountains.
After eating our picnic lunch in the van because the wind was blowing cold air all around us, we decided to head up the trail. Three Rivers Petroglyph Site has 2 trails. One leads to a partially excavated ancient
Mogollon(mug-e-yon) village. The other is a 1 mile rugged, and steep trail that leads through the Petroglyphs. We decided to take the petroglyph trail. I had hoped we would have time to complete both but the weather did not corporate with us and Katie was tired. The picture above is from the petroglyph trail.
We didn't have to walk far until we started seeing the artwork done by the Native Americans who lived here between 900AD and 1400AD.
Many archaeologists believe that the petroglyphs are a picture writing, with each picture representing a word or thought. Most archaeologists agree that together the pictures relate a story, an idea, or give directions to other tribes. There is considerable debate about what each individual picture may represent. We walked all around the ancient works of art like we were in an outdoor art museum. We saw what looked like people, animals, birds, fish and more.
Looks like a person with a beard. Or could it be a mask? Sierra pointed out that the image was divided in half by the use of the bend in the rock. We noticed the detail and the fact that he wasn't smiling. Maybe his hands hurt from scraping the image on the rock. Whatever, the reason it was cool to sit where someone sat long ago and took the time to etch his thoughts on a rock for all to see.
Some of the artwork was low on the ground, some were upside down and sideways. At the beginning of the trail, there is a map with some details about the petrogyphs.
This faces looks like it was done by a different person than the one above. This image is not as detailed and as precise. Also his eyes and nose are drawn differently.
Melissa looking at the silent messages left by Mogollons.
Bird or fish?? I think bird because it is pointed up.
Looks like a bird with something in its mouth. Next to it on the smaller rock, looks to be a lizard. In this stack of rocks we counted 7 different petroglyphs.
This work of art looks like it was done by an artist with less talent or maybe less patience.
Wonder if this hand print was from a boy or girl? It looks almost the size of Jacob's. Maybe it was a boy who was 6 years old. Maybe a father and son sat here one day spending time together and decided to trace and fill in the boy's hand. Or, could it be that the artist just wanted other tribes to know that younger children were in the area? Whatever the reason, Jacob found it amazing to put his hand where Native Americans had placed theirs many years ago.
Now, this resembles a fish. Not sure what the circle around the fish signifies.
After the first 20 or so petroglyphs, Hannah lost interest. She just wanted to climb and get her picture taken. This cluster of rocks was filled with petroglyphs. Here is one place where we saw some older more faded petroglyphs and then some that were made later in time.
About 1/2 way up the trail, we sat down for a short break. I had the children close their eyes and imagine what life must have been like for the Jornada Mogollon's who lived in this area. We listened to the sound of nature, felt the rocks with our hands, and imagined children playing hide and seek all around these rocks. We thought about the noise that two rocks make when scraped together and the moans that would have been grunted if someones knuckles scraped the rocks.
It is assumed that the Jornada Mogollon people practiced an animistic religion, worshipping nature. Therefore, archaeologists think a lot of the artwork may depict their views on religion. Some of the people and faces resemble mythical beings kind of like kachinas. This brought sadness to us as we realized that these talented individuals didn't know about the ONE TRUE GOD but worshipped gods of nature.
I am pointing to what looks like an Eagle head. I am amazed at the straight lines and the precisely pointed beak. The artwork on these rocks were chiseled. They were more vibrant and defined. The rocks were very close to a cliff over hang. Therefore, I assume these petroglyphs were made by older people in the tribe. Of course in 1000AD, there may not have been an over hang - who knows??
Lizard?? The effects of time are taking a toll on this rock. Three Rivers is one of the largest rock art sites in the Southwest. Hopefully, it will stand the test of time and vandals for many more years.
Hand from history and the hands of the future all in one photo. AWESOME!!
This looks like an Armadillo with an arrow through it. Field guide suggests a Big Horn Sheep. Not sure what the picture is to the left.
On our journey, we discovered petroglyphs made by artists long ago. We also discovered that Melissa has a great artistic ability. Notice the earrings on the artwork. The attention to detail is outstanding in these petroglyphs. They are something to admire!! Maybe one day, Melissa's artwork will be admired by many.
The Jornada Mogollon people were hunters and gathers. The ate edible plants such as Mesquite seeds, and cacti. This area is at the base of the 12,003 foot Sierra Blanca Mountains which made water plentiful during the Mogollon's time period. Historians believe that a drought in the late 1300's hundreds could have force the Jornada Mogollons out of this area.
I will not only remember the rock art that we saw, and touched today, but I will remember the voices of all our children calling out, "Mom, look over here. Oh, Wow look at this. Dad you have to see this one. Hannah move - I want to look at that. Mom, what is this?" Jeff even kept saying, "Hand me a camera. Sierra, did you get a picture of this one. Come get a picture of this one." This is a day that I hope has been etched into our memories for as long as we remain on Earth.
We all enjoyed our day at Three Rivers Petroglyph Site.
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