Hands-On Archaeology: Recording Rock Art

Instructor: William Reitze

(2 Day Class) 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 studying 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 archeologists. Participants will also learn how archaeologists use information from petroglyphs to better understand and interpret the lifestyles of the area’s prehistoric peoples.

Itinerary

Day 1

• 8:00 AM – Meet at the Painted Desert Visitor Center to carpool to work area.
• Morning – Orientation and instruction on rock art recording methods.
• Afternoon – Rock art Recording

Day 2

• 8:00 AM – Meet at the Painted Desert Visitors Center to carpool to work area.
• Morning – Rock art recording
• Afternoon – Backcountry petroglyph tour

Class will be over by 4:00 PM

Cost:

• $189 – Non-Member
• $160 – Member

Registration Form

Class Notes

Participants should bring a hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, light jacket or rain coat, and at least 2 liters of water.  We will provide training, tools, transportation, and lunch for each day.

Field work will involve short hikes in remote areas with uneven terrain. There will be no shade at the work site, and temperatures and conditions are variable.

Overnight camping may be available. Lodging and campgrounds are available in the nearby town of Holbrook, AZ.

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