Jerod Roberts explaining part of the Red Linear Type Site in Pressa Canyon, February 24, 2018.

The Red Linear Type Site Gallery

On February 24, 2018, I was fortunate enough to hike Pressa Canyon in Seminole Canyon State Park with Jerod and Vicki Roberts and a small group from that year’s Rock Art Rendevous, sponsored by the Witte Museum in San Antonio, Texas.  Jerod and Vicki are archaeologists with SHUMLA, and are both very knowledgeable and passionate about the rock art of the Trans-Pecos Region.  Our ultimate goal for the hike was to reach Black Cave, but our first stop was at the Red Linear Site (41VV201) which is the type site for the Red Linear Style (one of four rock art styles in the Trans-Pecos Region).  Page 92 of The Rock Art of Texas Indians introduces Forrest Kirkland’s drawings of this important site with these words:

“Near the mouth of Pressa Canyon, high on the surface of an overhanging cliff some fifty feet above the canyon floor are a group of some of the most intriguing rock paintings yet found in Texas (Plate 53)…In contrast to other pictographs in the lower Pecos region, or anywhere else in Texas for that matter, humans are depicted by a stick-figure technique, and almost every one gives the viewer a feeling of liveliness and motion…sexuality is a prominent if not the dominant motif…it is likely that this group of murals was drawn at a sacred spot or at one where highly important, perhaps secretive ceremonies having to do with fertility and reproduction were held.  

Below is Plate 53 from Kirkland’s book and a detailed portion of that plate…

Plate 53 from page 94 of Kirkland's book.
This closer look at Kirkland's drawing of the main panel shows some intriguing details of the Red Linear Site.

The Red linear style is characterized by very small monochromatic stick figures which appear dynamic and often engaged in group activities.  This style has been identified at seven sites in addition to the type site the subject of this post. (See Postscript 2 below…as a result of Shumla’s Alexandria Project, the number of Red Linear sites is up to 25, and some sites have some large anthropomorphic figures, up to 50cm tall!).  The art is very engaging and some scholars think it depicts cultural practices such as ranking in social status, warfare, hunting strategies, fertility rituals, and sympathetic magic.  It is one of the most unique and interesting rock art styles I have been privileged to view in situ.  

Below are the photos I took at the Red Linear Site.  I hope you enjoy them!  I find it interesting to try to match the elements in my photos with Kirkland’s drawings, which he made 80 years before I took these photos.  

The Main Panel…

The main panel at the Red Linear Type Site. Natural weathering has done significant damage, but there is still plenty to see!
The lower part of the main panel has a grouping that has been interpreted in many different ways...
....the upper right has three figures-- a male holding hands with a female on each side. Females have a bulb in the pelvis area as opposed to a phalus. To the left of this trio are thirteen figures, all facing toward them...so interesting!
Some scholars have suggested that the line of figures to the left represent a sequence of development, from young to old, surrounded by shamans.
Detail of the quadrupeds located below the bottom figure on the left side of the panel.

The Left Panel at the Red Linear Site…

This panel has also sustained a lot of damage from natural weathering. Compare with Kirkland's Plate 53, No. 2.
Compare with Kirkland's Plate 53, No. 5. Unfortunately the the figures farthest right are all but gone.
The figure in the center of this photo is unusual - not a single stick figure body. See Plate 53, No. 2, lower right.
Detail of the figure above. You can clearly see the body and the object in the right hand.
The facing figures from the lower right of Plate 53 No. 2. The figure on the right has extremely long legs and arms.
Detail of another figure from the lower right of Plate 53, No. 2. Is that an atlatl in the left hand?
Compare with the upper left portion of Kirkland's Plate 53, No. 2. Very intriguing!
Compare with Plate 53, No. 3. The center quadruped is fairly well preserved.

One Final Photo of The Red Linear Site In Context…

Jerod Roberts and some members of our group in front of the main panel at The Red Linear Site, February 24, 2018.

Postscript 1…

As I worked on posting this gallery to my website, Jerod Roberts has gone back to Texas State to pursue a masters degree under the guidance of Dr. Carolyn Boyd.  The focus of his advanced studies is, you guessed it, Red Linear Style rock art in the Trans Pecos.  I look forward to the results of his research! Check him out on Facebook, he is also a wonderful photographer.

 

Postscript 2…

After I published this gallery page, I reached out to Jerod Roberts and asked him to take a look at it and let me know if he saw anything that was out of order.  He wrote back that after a quick review, he did note that the number of sites in the Trans-Pecos that have red linear pictographs is over 25!  This is due in large part to Shumla’s Alexandria Project and the massive amount of data it has collected.  Jerod also mentioned in a subsequent note that “while the average Red Linear figure is relatively small, we have quite a few anthropomorphs as large as 50cm in height! We were blown away when we saw them but there are a few sites now with large examples”.  This is a great example of why Shumla’s work is so important.  This is such a worthwhile project staffed by outstanding professionals.  If you love rock art and the idea of preserving very valuable cultural assets, please consider making a donation to this project.  Thanks!