Over many centuries, the prehistoric Fremont and Anasazi peoples of present-day Utah left an artistic record in which distinctive styles are readily identifiable. From the Uinta Mountains through the central canyonlands to the Virgin River, Utah's abundant prehistoric rock art offers glimpses of a lost world. The Rock Art of Utah is a rich sample of the many varieties of rock art found in the state. Through nearly two hundred high-quality photographs and drawings from the Donald Scott Collection, all made during the 1920s and 1930s, rock art expert Polly Schaafsma provides a fascinating, comprehensive tour of this unique legacy. From the Uinta Mountains through the central canyonlands to the Virgin River, Utah's abundant prehistoric rock art offers glimpses of a lost world. Over many centuries, the Fremont and Anasazi peoples left an artistic record in which distinctive styles are readily identifiable. The Rock Art of Utah is a guide to the many varieties of rock art found in the state. Through dozens of high-quality photographs and drawings from the Donald Scott Collection, all made during the 1920s and 30s, author Polly Schaafsma provides a fascinating, comprehensive tour of this unique legacy. Now in an updated edition, it will engage anyone with an interest in the ancient peoples of the Colorado Plateau.
Polly Schaafsma is research associate at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and the Laboratory of Anthropology at the Museum of New Mexico in Santa Fe.
Preface Acknowledgments Donald Scott and His Collection, by J.O. Brew I. The Background Description of the Study The Concept of Style The Geographic and Cultural Setting II. Rock Art East of the Wasatch Mountains The Uinta Fremont The San Rafael-The Northern Zone The San Rafael Fremont-The Southern Zone III. Specialized Developments in the Eastern Fremont Area IV. Rock Art West of the Wasatch Mountains The Western Utah Painted Style Sevier Style A The Fremont and the Great Basin Curvilinear Style Petroglyphs at Parowan Gap and Braffet Canyon Fremont Sites in Eastern Nevada V. Summary VI. Rock Art of the Virgin Kayenta Region of the Anasazi A Basketmaker Painting from Cottonwood Wash, Kanab The Eastern Virgin Kayenta Style The Cave Valley Style The Western Virgin Kayenta Style VII. Chronology Dating the Virgin Kayenta Styles The Age of Fremont Rock Art Evidence for Chronological Development in Fremont Rock Art The Age and Cultural Affiliations of the Barrier Canyon Style Paintings VIII. The Relationships of the Fremont Culture to the Great Basin, the Southwest, and the Plains The Fremont and the Great Basin Pueblo-Fremont Relationships The Eastern Fremont and the San Juan Basketmakers The Fremont and the Northern Plains Conclusions IX. Interpretation The Virgin Kayenta The Fremont The Barrier Canyon Style Bibliography
