Rock Art :
A Sacred Tool
Rock Art Academy for
Texas Archeological Society
March 31–April 2, 2006

March 31–April 2, 2006, SHUMLA hosted, and presented, Rock Art: A Sacred Tool for the Texas Archeological Society (TAS).  This is the first year this topic has been offered as part of the TAS Academy series and it was very well received.  Attendance was limited to 50 people, and that number was reached early in the registration period.

Friday activities began with participants arriving at the SHUMLA campus.  Those camping at the campus began arriving around 4:00 p.m.  They pitched their tents and enjoyed dinner prepared by SHUMLA staff and volunteers.  Participants staying either at Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site or in Del Rio arrived soon after and the first presentation began around 7:30.  Dr. Carolyn Boyd, Executive Director of SHUMLA, was the primary lecturer for the entire program and the first evening she presented a exciting survey of world rock art, placing the rock art of the Lower Pecos region securely in a place of significance in relation to art in other parts of the world.

Those camping at the SHUMLA campus enjoyed breakfast on Saturday, April 1, starting at 7:00 a.m.  Dr. Boyd's presentation began at 9:00 a.m.  This time she specifically discussed the local rock art, describing her recording techniques and interpretations she has developed.

Lunch was at 11:45 a.m. and by 12:45 participants were ready for the afternoon's tours.  The group was divided into two equal parts; one traveled first to the White Shaman site, while the other investigated Painted Shelter and the nearby DeWeese Ranch house.  Dr. Boyd met the group at White Shaman and lectured about her interpretations of the pictographs found there.  Elton Prewitt was at Painted Shelter and guided the group to the ranch house ruins, and the shelter as well.  Teddy Lou Stickney was in Painted Shelter as well.  She, along with Pinky Robertson and Wendy Lockwood, demonstrated the rock art recording procedures used by the TAS Rock Art Committee.  Half-way through the afternoon the group in White Shaman and the one at Painted Shelter reversed locations so that everyone got to see both of these exciting rock art sites and hear the presentations by Dr. Boyd and Mr. Prewitt.

Appetizers, refreshments, and then dinner were provided back at the school campus.  Everyone enjoyed free time in the evening.

Sunday morning began with breakfast for those camping and at 9:00 a.m. everyone left for Mile Canyon at Langtry.  Everyone, that is, except for a few people who decided to enjoy quiet time in camp.  Mile Canyon is the location of several spectacular rock shelters.  This drainage is owned by Mr. Jack Skiles, who lives nearby.  Mr. Skiles has built a small museum to house a collection of material gathered by his father.  On arrival in Langtry, the group was again divided into two parts.  One group visited Mr. Skiles' museum and watched paint-making demonstrations provided by Dr. Boyd, while the other traveled into Mile Canyon.  Some people walked, some rode with Elton Prewitt in his truck.  All enjoyed a tour of Eagle Cave and Skiles Cave, viewing the rock art in both shelters.  Skiles Cave also contains a polished and grooved boulder.  Midmorning the two groups reversed locations so everyone could visit the sites and Mr. Skiles' museum.  Dr. Boyd continued her paint-making demonstrations and those who wished used the paint made to paint designs on rock slabs that were provided.

Everyone returned to the SHUMLA campus at 1:30 p.m. and enjoyed the lunch waiting for them.  After eating, some participants tried their hands at throwing spears with an atlatl and others packed up their camps.  By 4:00 p.m. all had headed home.

A program similar to this can be designed for your organization.  Contact the program division at programs@shumla.org or call the SHUMLA offices
(432-292-4848) for information.