petraphile

Ghost Hearders
Originally uploaded by TheOdyssey.tv

Having visited hundreds of sites all over the world, including Lascaux and Chauvet in France and the Côa Valley in Portugal, [archaeologist David S. Whitley] believes the Coso Petroglyphs to be one of the most important rock art sites on earth.

Mr. Whitley estimated that there may be as many as 100,000 images carved into the dark volcanic canyons above the China Lake basin, some as old as 12,000 to 16,000 years, others as recent as the mid-20th century.

In Rock Art Redefines Ancient in today's New York Times.

The Coso Rock Art District, just off the road between L.A. and Vegas, has defied disturbance because it also operates as a firing range for U.S. Naval air weapons.

Go figure.

It's open for visitors (during which time I'm pretty sure they turn the bombs off). You can arrange a tour through the Maturango Museum »

You can also take a Flickr tour:

rockman

rockman
Originally uploaded by suttonhoo.

The thing is: You see what you wanna see, and you hear what you wanna hear. Dig?

The Rockman, from Harry Nillson's The Point

Petroglyph
Chaco Canyon, NM

getcher rock on

I've been away -- playing mostly, thinking some. Scrambling on rock faces and seeing what's over the next ridge.

Here's a quickie slideshow of ~ 5,000 year old rock art from a spot called Grapevine Canyon on a little spurt of Nevada Highway 163. The turn-off is a dirt road called Christmas Tree Pass (why it's called Christmas Tree Pass I have no idea -- this isn't evergreen country). Keep your eyes peeled because it's easy to miss.

As are so many things that are worthwhile.