The La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs are a rock art site near Santa Fe, New Mexico. It is a mesa above the Sante Fe River containing thousands of petroglyphs. Followers of the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro also pass this site.[2]
History
The petroglyphs were created by speakers of the Keres and Tanoan languages from the 13th and 17th centuries. Their descendants live in the Cochiti and Santo Domingo pueblos.[2][3] A contrasting theory states the markings were made from 8000 to 2000 BC.[4]
Features
Many figures depict a humpbacked flute player, the fertility deity Kokopelli, and birds.[2][5] A survey in 1991 recorded 1,385 bird figures out of the over 4400 total.[1] The petroglyphs' meanings, despite being studied extensively, are unknown. Many of the etchings are also indecipherable.[6] The northern part of the site is less-studied.[1]
Threats
The area is commonly used for target practice for paintball players, resulting in vandalism and the defacement of rock art. Graffiti is also prevalent.[1][5]
References
- ^ a b c d "Galisteo Basin Archaeology - La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs". New Mexico Office of Archaeological Studies. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ a b c "La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs". Bureau of Land Management. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
- ^ Cerva, Gina Rae La (2022-02-01). "Ancient New Mexican Rock Art Was Just Vandalized with Swastikas and Racial Slurs". Outside Online. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ Thomas, Alaina (2022-10-27). "La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs: Everything You Need to Know". Beyond The Moments. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ a b "La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs". GJHikes. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ "An Insider's Guide to Walking Ancient Paths and Rock Art". Santa Fe Tourism. 2016-09-20. Retrieved 2024-02-04.