Anthropology, Department of
Date of this Version
2006
Abstract
This paper attempts to analyze the location of bighorn sheep rock art in the Dolores River Valley in relation to projected areas of bighorn sheep habitat. A landscape approach is applied in order to gain a better understanding of the reasons behind the placement of bighorn rock art presently found on the current landscape. Twenty six rock art sites recorded by Gay Ives in the Dolores River Valley of Southwestern Colorado will be analyzed in the current study. Eleven bighorn sheep elements were identified by Ives at four separate rock art sites. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is employed to conduct a spatial analysis of the placement of bighorn rock art sites in relation to certain aspects of the landscape. More specifically the Dolores rock art sites are examined in relation to projected areas of bighorn habitat defined as southerly facing slopes at distances greater than 400 meters from habitation sites during the Anasazi occupation period. Possible relations between bighorn rock art sites and the projected bighorn habitat are addressed to gain a better understanding of the reasons for the placement of bighorn representations on the landscape.
Comments
Published in Nebraska Anthropologist Vol. 21 (2006). Copyright © Amanda M. Davey; published by The University of Nebraska-Lincoln AnthroGroup.