PETROGLYPHS.US

Old Woman Cave Rock Art

The Chemehuevi or as they call themselves, Nüwü, are the southern most group of the Southern Paiute. They occupied the largest land area in California, the Mojave Desert. Unfortunately this area is also the poorest in terms of food resources and habitability. Game was not plentiful, crops could not be easily cultivated and water sources were not dependable. Until recent times the Chemehuevi maintained a simple Hunter-Gather economy, lived in patriarchal bands, and moved frequently from one food & water resource to another. Bands claimed ownership to springs and ownership could be inherited by progeny. Although the Chemehuevi occupied the largest aboriginal territory their population was small, probably ranging prehistorically between 500-800 individuals. 

The petroglyphs and pictographs are combinations of geometric rectangular & circular shapes with some diamonds, triangles, parallel & wavy lines. Absent are depictions of anthropomorphs, bighorn sheep and other representational figures found elsewhere in the desert. Power for both male and female shaman came in dreams, usually from guardian spirits in animal form. These spirits would provide instructions and songs to cure illness and protect against malevolent shaman and ghost intrusion. Dreams could be obtained by spending the night alone in particular caves. The Chemehuevi 'dream' their creation myth (which is similar to the Mohave creation myth) and it is from this dream they acquire their power. Chemehuevi rock art, both petroglyphs and pictographs, symbolizes those dreams.