This shot gives you some ideal of just how large the Lewis Canyon Petroglyph Site is.

A Quick Trip To The Amazing Lewis Canyon Petroglyph Site

On September 7, 2014 I was fortunate enough be be part of a small group from the Rock Art Foundation that visited the iconic Lewis Canyon Petroglyph Site.  The site is on private property and sits on a nearly flat stretch of limestone bedrock next to a steep-walled canyon.  There are hundreds, maybe even thousands of petroglyphs carved into the bedrock at this site.  Many of the petroglyphs are abstract circles, lines and dots.  But there are also atlatls, anthropomorphs, zoomorphs, and tracts (human and animal).  I enjoyed this site– it is one of the most amazing petroglyph sites I have had the privilege of visiting.  The Lewis Canyon Site is not easy to get to.  First, you have to have permission from the landowners.  Second, it is remote–38 miles downriver on the Pecos from the Pandale Crossing, and 21 miles up river from the White Shaman Preserve near the Pecos River Bridge on Highway 90.  Some archaeologists think there are still many petroglyphs that have yet to be uncovered at this site.

 

The site is huge-- over 200 yards long and over 100 yards wide (at its widest point).

Here are a few examples of some of the abstract elements– which include lines, circles, and dots.

This photo has all three...circles, lines, and dots.
This one is very abstract.
Very nice!
Many of the dots are in a straight line, but this one is slightly different.

In contrast to the large number of abstract petroglyphs, there are a number that are clearly representational.  There are numerous atlatls, many of which feature exaggerated (extra large) round weights.  There are also zoomporphs, projectile points, and tracks, both human and animal. 

Note the two atlatls in the center with the large weights, as well as the footprints.
Looks like this element represents a deer.
Projectile points.
Bird tracks.
These appear to be deer tracks.

Below are a few of the human-like petroglyphs at the Lewis Canyon Site.  While not numerous, they are there. 

This figure has extra large feet.
This anthropomorphic figure is holding objects in both hands.
This one is questionable, but it appears to be an anthropomorph to me.

After exploring the main petroglyph site up on the bluff, we headed down to the river and walked over to the “Pour-Over Site”, which has a few red pictographs.  There was a tinaja located there as well, and it was a serene and beautiful place.

Yours truly, headed down to the Pour-Over Site. The beautiful Pecos River is in the background.
The tinaja at the Pour-Over site near Lewis Canyon.
One of the pictographs at the Pour-Over Site near Lewis Canyon.
Looking up the Pecos River from near the Pour-Over Site.

I am grateful I got to visit this special place.  I really miss the old Rock Art Foundation field trips.  Since the Witte took over, the number and scope of field trips has been greatly reduced.  I am not aware of any field trips to Lewis Canyon since the takeover.  If you ever get a chance to go visit this site, I would highly recommend it!  If you would like to see a complete gallery of the photos I took on this little trip, look here.