The Falling Man site is located near Gold Butte, just a few miles off the Gold Butte Back Country Byway.  This is one of the most stunning landscapes in the Southwest…beautifully colored red Aztec sandstone, along with purple and orange rocks.  The rock art in this location has many layers of history, being used by several generations over the millennia.  I’ve read estimates dating the rock art between 700 years old for the newest petroglyphs to 7,000 years old for the very oldest petroglyphs.  The main rock art is petroglyphs (pecked into the rock surface), but there are a few faded pictographs (paints using plant-based material).  The name “falling man” comes from a single image of a man that appears to be falling, located on the cliff wall.  Based on the image and its location, it’s easy to think that this was some form of memorial for an individual that fell from the cliff above.  While I’ve read from multiple sources that this is the only known depiction of a “falling person,” I’ve since come across two more in other areas.

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