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The Sheep Springs petroglyph site is located near a
spring in the El Paso Mountains of Kern County, California. This is a
Desert Culture site that falls within the historic Kawaiisu territory.
The site extends for about 150 meters through a boulder field that runs along one side of the road,
the main concentration of petroglyphs occur on these boulders. Isolated
petroglyphs and milling stations are found on out lining boulders within
a half Km radius. An old mining road that once ran through the
petroglyph field is now blocked off. Most of the petroglyphs at
Sheep Springs are Great Basin curvilinear or rectilinear in design,
and typical of Shoshone sites There are several examples of bighorn
sheep, but no human-like images were noted. This is a relatively small site and the petroglyphs may represent the work
of only a few shaman over some period of time. This site is along a
trail that connects the Indian Wells Valley with the Fremont Valley and
would be a good stopping place for prehistoric obsidian traders. Next 12 photos.
Click on photographs to enlarge. |
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When winter rains produce abundant grass, domestic
sheep still graze at Sheep Springs. The white dots to the left of the
trees are sheep crossing a flowing stream. |
The El Paso Mountains are the southern limit of the
Coso Style big horn sheep petroglyphs (long boat shaped bodies, skinny
legs, horns extending laterally to the sides). |
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Petroglyphs at this site are pecked into any
convenient side of a boulder. Some boulders are completely covered. |
The meaning of Great Basin Curvilinear images
is difficult to determine because each element may have a subjective meaning
known only to
the shaman who made it. |
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Click to see petroglyph
replicas
of these and other images.
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Books
about Rock Art and Kawaiisu petroglyphs |
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Isolate petroglyphs on a single boulder
300 meters from the main concentration. |
Milling stations or grinding slicks
are common at this site. Isolated milling stations and petroglyphs may
be associated with a particular family group. |
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This is an entopic image, created by
the optic nerve of a shaman as he entered into a trance-like state as
part of his vision quest. |
This may be an unusual top view of two bighorn sheep
in a splayed position; or two costumed ceremonial 'sheep-men'. |
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These sheep have some early period (pre AD 100) Coso
Style characteristics. |
Petroglyphs facing up show significant weathering.
Some boulders exhibit wear areas that may actually be milling stations. |
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Great Basin Abstract
consists of Curvilinear and Rectilinear Styles similar to Anasazi and Mogollon geometric designs, but different than the less complex, simple
Archaic style.
Curvilinear-
a complicated abstract motif consisting of rounded interconnected
geometric shapes, spirals, concentric circles, zigzags, meandering lines. This
is believed to be the oldest rock art in the southwest and may date to 10,000 BP.
The circle in one form or another is the most common element.
Rectilinear-
an abstract motif similar to curvilinear except the elements are more
square and rectangular, grids, rakes, dots, cross hatches, zigzags,
diamonds. Younger than curvilinear to ca. 5000 BP. Click for more
Rock
Art Terminology
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