Field Trip: Archaic Rock Art on Rowe Mesa

Archaic Rock Art on Rowe Mesa

Rock art at Rowe Mesa. Courtesy of Dick Ford.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Cost per person:
$150 (Includes a $25 non-refundable tax-deductible donation to SAR)

Field trip limited to 18 participants.

Click here to register.

With Study Leader Richard Ford, we will be spending time on Glorieta Mesa, commonly referred to as Rowe Mesa. The mesa is formed primarily of Triassic, Permian, and Pennsylvania sedimentary rocks and uplifted in Pennsylvanian times, 30 to 286 million years ago, providing the materials of the Sangre de Cristo formation.

Walking the same land as hunters and gatherers did thousands of years ago, we will visit two major Archaic petroglyph sites. They were both used for ceremonies and are unusual for their orientation. We typically look at petroglyphs on hillsides, but in this case, the petroglyphs face skyward and we will be looking down on them. Photography is highly recommended.

The first site is about 5,000 years old and all of its images are abstract. The second site is younger. It, too, has many abstract images but some are evolving into naturalistic forms. These are the largest Archaic petroglyph sites of this time period in New Mexico.

We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch at the Pecos National Historical Park in between site visits.

View of Rowe Mesa

Study Leader:

Richard Ford completed his BA in Anthropology at Oberlin College and then his Ph.D. in Anthropology at the University of Michigan where he rose the ranks to Full professor of Anthropology and Botany. While at Michigan, he had many administrative appointments as Curator of Ethnology and Director of the Ethnobotanical Laboratory in the Museum of Anthropology, director of the Museum of Anthropology for 11 years, Chairman of the Department of Anthropology, Associate Dean of Research and Computing in the Literary College. He taught as a visiting professor at Cincinnati, Utah, Washington, Colorado College, SMU, UM Biological Station, Wayne State (MI), and Michigan State, and in China and Mexico abroad.

His ethnobotanical research brought him to Poland, Tunisia, Kenya, Mexico, Canada, The Bahamas, China, and several Midwestern and Southwestern States. He has published 135 articles and chapters and nine research monographs as a result of his travel.

He received numerous awards from professional organizations including the Amal Amique award in India, Distinguished Ethnobiologist from the Society of Ethnobiology, the Fryxell Award from the Society of American Archaeology, the Franz Boas Award from AAA, and election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, as well as numerous lesser local honors.

In retirement he is an active lecturer and archaeology tour guide. He also serves as a legal expert witness for several Pueblos in their land and water cases.

Activity Level: Low –  easy walking tour. The footing is secure and the hiking distances are short with no hills to climb.

Includes: Transportation in a Sprinter Van; water and snacks; a picnic lunch from Mucho in Santa Fe; entry fees and gratuities.

In conjunction with this trip, Richard will be teaching a 4-session course, Rock Art of the Rio Grande Basin in Northern New Mexico, October 1, 8, 15, and 22.