The Geologic Story of Arches National Park: Geological Survey Bulletin 1393 — John Shaqi
The Geologic Story of Arches National Park: Geological Survey Bulletin 1393Lohman, Stanley William
Science
The Geologic Story of Arches National Park: Geological Survey Bulletin 1393
Lohman, Stanley William
Arches National Park (Utah); Geology -- Utah -- Arches National Park -- Guidebooks
The so-called “Moab panel” was described by Beckwith (1934, p. 177) as a
petroglyph, but, as pointed out by Schaafsma (1971, p. 72, 73), it
comprises figures having pecked outlines and painted bodies, which
actually are combinations of petroglyphs and pictographs. This
beautifully preserved group of paintings is shown in the upper
photograph of figure 2. Mrs. Schaafsma goes on to say, concerning the
“Moab panel”:
The long tapered body, the antenna like headdresses, and the staring
eyes are characteristic features of Barrier Canyon style figures
elsewhere * * *. Of special interest here are the large shields held
by certain figures. A visit to this site indicated that the shields,
although apparently of some antiquity, have been superimposed over
some of the Barrier Canyon figures. Whether or not this was done by
the Barrier Canyon style artists themselves or later comers to the
site is impossible to tell.
Although definite proof seems lacking, she suggested (written commun.,
Nov. 3, 1973) that the “‘Barrier Canyon style’[3] * * * is earlier than
the work in the same region clearly attributable to the Fremont.” Note
the three bullet holes in and near the right-hand shield. A ledge above
the panel that contained petroglyphs during her earlier visit had fallen
to the base of the cliff by the time my wife and I inspected the panel
in September 1973.
[Illustration: ROCK ART IN ARCHES NATIONAL PARK. A (above), “Moab
panel,” on cliff of Wingate Sandstone above U.S. Highway 163 between
Courthouse Wash and Colorado River, believed to be the work of
“Barrier Canyon” style people. B (below), Petroglyphs on ledge of
sandstone in Morrison Formation on east side of Salt Wash just north
of Wolfe Ranch, believed to have been cut by Ute tribesmen. (Fig.
2)]
[Illustration: Fig. 2 B]
Mrs. Schaafsma believes the petroglyphs in the lower photograph of
figure 2 to be the work of Ute tribesmen, not only because of the
horses, but also because of the stiff-legged appearance of the mountain
sheep. Note the bullet hole above the panel.
Late Arrivals
Later arrivals in and near Arches National Park included first Spanish
explorers, then trappers, cattlemen, cattle rustlers and horse thieves,
followed in the present century by oil drillers, uranium hunters,
jeepsters, and tourists. Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, and other
members of The Wild Bunch are known to have frequented parts of what is
now Canyonlands National Park (Baker, Pearl, 1971), but it is not
certain whether or not any of them traversed what is now Arches National
Park.
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