New research has revealed that rock art in the Pecos River region of West Texas dates back approximately 6,000 years. This groundbreaking study identifies intricate metaphysical concepts within the imagery that significantly influenced the belief systems of several Mesoamerican cultures. Conducted by a team from Texas State University, the findings were published in the journal Science Advances.
The research team includes Karen Steelman, Ph.D., science director at the Shumla Archaeological Research and Education Center; Carolyn Boyd, Ph.D., Shumla Endowed Research Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Texas State University; and Phil Dering, Ph.D., associated faculty in the same department. Their work, titled “Mapping the chronology of an ancient cosmovision: 4,000 years of continuity in Pecos River style mural painting and symbolism,” provides a detailed timeline and analysis of this ancient art form.
Boyd stated, “We have securely dated one of the most distinctive rock art traditions in the world — the Pecos River style murals of Southwest Texas.” The team obtained 57 radiocarbon dates from 12 sites, revealing that Indigenous communities began creating these vibrant murals nearly 6,000 years ago. Notably, they continued to produce these works for more than 4,000 years using a consistent graphic style and symbol system.
The Pecos River style murals, located in limestone rock shelters, feature multi-colored pictographs depicting humanlike, animal-like, and geometric figures arranged in purposeful compositions. Some murals stretch over 100 feet in length and reach heights of 20 feet. The dry desert climate has preserved these ancient artworks remarkably well, providing invaluable insights into prehistoric life.
Contrary to earlier beliefs that these expansive murals were the result of gradual additions by different peoples over centuries, the research team found evidence suggesting a more complex narrative. Boyd noted, “Another huge shocker is that the dates within many of the murals clustered so closely as to be statistically indistinguishable, suggesting that they were produced during a single painting event as a visual narrative.” This finding challenges the notion that the murals were merely a random collection of images accumulated over time.
The researchers employed advanced methods, including plasma oxidation and accelerator mass spectrometry, to gather 57 direct radiocarbon dates and 25 indirect oxalate dates. Bayesian modeling estimates that the Pecos River style originated between 5,760 and 5,385 years ago and likely ceased production between 1,370 and 1,035 years ago. Stratigraphic and iconographic analyses further revealed that eight of the murals followed established rules and compositional techniques, indicating a consistent messaging throughout a period marked by substantial cultural and environmental changes.
The implications of this research extend beyond the timeline. The Pecos River style paintings, deeply embedded in a culturally significant landscape, transmitted sophisticated metaphysical concepts that influenced the beliefs and symbolic expressions of later Mesoamerican agricultural societies. Boyd elaborated, “The compositional nature of the murals was further supported by our analysis of the painting sequence. Using a digital microscope to retrace the steps followed by the original artists, we discovered that the painters adhered to a rule-bound color application order.”
This meticulous approach resulted in intricately layered paint, intertwining multiple figures into well-planned, sophisticated compositions. Boyd emphasized the significance of these discoveries: “They are visual manuscripts created according to a set of rules passed down from one generation to the next for more than 4,000 years.”
The research also highlights the contemporary relevance of these ancient artworks. “Today, Indigenous communities in the U.S. and Mexico can relate the stories communicated through the imagery to their own cosmologies,” Boyd remarked. This connection underscores the longevity and endurance of a shared belief system across the New World that spans at least 6,000 years.
Boyd concluded, “Think about it, the canyons of Southwest Texas house a vast and ancient library of painted texts documenting 175 generations of sacred stories and Indigenous knowledge. As an artist and an archaeologist, I can tell you that this is a breathtaking discovery.”
The findings not only enhance our understanding of ancient rock art but also reinforce the cultural significance of these narratives in contemporary society.
