I’m calling this gallery “The Mother” El Sur, purposely keeping the exact location very general, since the multiple rock art sites located within it are still in pristine condition.  I hate having to do this, as I believe these locations are a treasure to be enjoyed by everyone.  But, I keep coming across sites that are vandalized…shot at, spray painted, carved over, etc.  This irks me to no end…these are irreplaceable treasures of our past that have survived thousands of years.  Anyway, I’ll get off my soapbox now 🙂

Within this area are several large agave roasting pits, shelters, rock rings and petroglyphs.  There’s even some historic graffiti from the 1920’s and 1930’s.  One of the main petroglyph locations is a large boulder with 2 shelter areas, covered in many unique and interesting petroglyphs.  The rock art and agave roasting pits were most likely from the ancestors of the Southern Paiutes that have inhabited this area for many thousands of years.  You can see the many different generations of carvings, as some of very faded and weathered, whereas others have much less of a patina.  It’s common to see generations coming back to these same sacred locations and leaving their carvings, sometimes over the older ones.

Please click the images below: