Hands on Archaeology: Recording Rock Art

Instructor: William Reitze

The landscape of Petrified Forest National Park includes a diversity of resources that have been sustaining people for thousands of years. Many of these inhabitants left their mark on the landscape in the form of homes, artifacts, and petroglyphs.

New lands recently added to the park include dozens of previously unrecorded petroglyph galleries, some with hundreds of rock art panels, all of which display evidence of the many people who have called Petrified Forest home. By examining the prehistoric images people left behind on rock surfaces throughout the park, archaeologists can study an important aspect of how people lived and moved through this area.

During this class, participants will learn and employ archaeological methods for recording and documenting rock art under the direction of NPS archaeologists. Participants will also learn how archaeologists use information from petroglyphs to better understand and interpret the lives of the area’s prehistoric peoples.

Meet at the Painted Desert Visitor Center at 8:00 am for orientation and instruction on rock art recording methods before carpooling with NPS archaeologists to the designated work area.

We will end our tour around 4:00 pm and you’ll have the rest of the day to explore the other fascinating histories of the park.

Schedule

• 8:00 AM – Meet at the Painted Desert Visitor Center
• 4:00 PM – Class ends; you’ll have the rest of the day to explore the park

Cost:

• $119 – Non-Member
• $100 – Member

Registration Form

Class Notes

Field tours involve short hikes in remote areas with uneven terrain.  There is no shade in these areas.  Be prepared with a hat, sunscreen, insect spray, sturdy shoes, a light daypack with at least 2 liters of water per person and snacks, and a light jacket. July and August are typical monsoon months and rain is always possible. Tools and carpooling from the Visitor Center to the work area and lunch will be provided.

Maximum number of participants: 10
Minimum age of participants: 12 (must be accompanied by parent or guardian)