Tom’s Top Ten
This page is my attempt to identify my “Top Ten” list of rock art images. Some are a single element. Others are single panel. Some are the whole site. I used no specific criteria to make my selections, just my opinion! So here goes…
1. Holy Ghost Panel, Horseshoe Canyon, Utah
The Holy Ghost Panel is part of the Great Gallery located in the Horseshoe Canyon part of Canyonlands National Park in Utah. It is a remote area that takes no small amount of driving backcountry roads and hiking desert canyons, but it is certainly worth the effort. The Holy Ghost Panel is stunning. It is large, well preserved, and almost appears to be three dimensional. Taken in context with the Great Gallery, it is a special place that will transfix and transport your senses.
2. Ruin Rock
Sitting high above White Canyon in Natural Bridges National Monument, the Ruin Rock Petroglyphs are finely executed, eclectic, and intriguing. Indeed, it is the kind of place you just sit and marvel for hours– not just the rock art, but the landscape and cultural context (near some excellent ruins) are all outstanding.
3. Major Art (Mt. Borradaile)
I traveled over 9,000 miles to visit Major Art at Mt. Borradaile in the Northern Territory of Australia. As a guest of Davidson’s Arnhemland Safari Eco Lodge, I had access to many stunning rock art sites, but this one was truly magnificent. My Blog tells the story of Mt. Borradaile and, if you are interested in the full gallery of photos I took at Major Art as well as other Mt. Borradaile rock art site galleries, look here.Â
4. The White Shaman
Even if you are not a Texan, a visit to The White Shaman Site will make you marvel at this prehistoric work of art. This crown jewel of the Trans Pecos region of Texas is now owned by the Witte Museum, after many years of stewardship by the now defunct Rock Art Foundation of San Antonio. I have never been able to take suitable photos of this special place, although I have made a number of visits there. Sitting high above the Pecos River, the landscape and views alone are worth the trip.Â
5. The Three Kings Panel at McKonkie Ranch
You know something is special when National Geographic sends out a team to photograph and write an article about it. That is exactly what happened in 1980 when Nat Geo put this wonderful panel on the map when they published their article with pictures. I was blessed to see the Three Kings Panel on August 1, 2017. It was also a blessing to meet and visit with Jean McKonkie McKenzie, who was born on the family ranch and still lives there, protecting the rock art. For more details about my visit see my blog. Needless to say, if you have the time, go visit this special place!
6. The Birthing Scene at Rock Art Ranch
The part of Chevelon Canyon that is on Brantley Baird’s ranch south of Winslow Arizona contains many rock art treasures. In my opinion, The Birthing Scene is the premier panel in that beautiful place. If you are ever in the area, I would highly recommend you pay Brantley and his canyon a visit!
7. The Sun Seeker at McKee Springs
The Sun Seeker Panel, located at the McKee Springs Petroglyph Site in Dinosaur National Monument, is one of those petroglyph sites that exhibits such a high level of execution that it can’t help but turn heads. My blog give more details about my visit to this very special rock art panel. Â
8. Halo
Located on private land in the remote Trans Pecos region of Texas, The Halo Shelter is a stunning piece of art. The complexity and number of elements found at this special place is overwhelming. For pictures of the landscape around the Halo Shelter, take a look at my blog.
10. Dinwoody Lake
The Dinwoody Lake Site is difficult to get to, but is well worth the effort. The rock art that sits high above Dinwoody lake on the Wind River Reservation is the type site for the Dinwoody Style. For more details, see my blog.Â
