Rock Art in New Mexico, or petroglyphs and pictographs, offer a glimpse into southwestern life dating back nearly 3,000 years. Petroglyphs, which are images cut into rock surfaces, can be found throughout the entire state, with large concentrations present at the Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque and La Cieneguilla Petroglyph Site near Santa Fe.
Petroglyphs are typically categorized two ways: representational and abstract. These categories aid archeologists and anthropologists in the discovery of new symbols and their accompanying meanings. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the various petroglyph images though, is that each one is open to interpretation. What does this symbol mean? Why was it carved specifically on this rock? What does this image tell me about the culture of that time?
These questions are especially raised while hiking in La Cieneguilla. La Cieneguilla is home to miles of volcanic rock that feature hundreds of petroglyphs, ranging from Kokopelli and birds, to tribal men and snakes. Carvings reveal themselves during different times of the day depending on the placement of the sun, a feature that allows for new discoveries each time you visit the site.
Enjoy the following photographs of petroglyphs. Some were taken at sites that we can offer as part of our tours; others were photographed while we were exploring on our own. The cultural depth of New Mexico lies in the fact that we are still privileged to be able to view so many of these ancient Puebloan rock symbols.
