Art Rocks

Arizona Daily Wildcat Photos Courtesy of Sharon Urban from the American Rock Art Research Association Many rocks at Signal Hill have a variety of human, animal and abstract figures. Sketchy depictions of humans may represent gods, ancestors or the artists themselves. In some parts of Signal Hill, every flat surface is covered with designs.

Scattered across the Southwest are hundreds of mysterious carvings on rocks and canyon walls. Most were carved by prehistoric peoples, some were made thousands of years ago.

Rock art, called petroglyphs by archaeologists, comes in many different styles. Some show simple drawings of plants, animals and humans. Others are more abstract. Wavy lines, circles, spirals and other geometric shapes have puzzled archaeologists for generations.

HOW TO GET THERE Go west on Speedway past I-10 and over Gates Pass. Go right at the intersection with Kenny road. The trailhead to Kings Canyon is on the right side of the road across from the Desert Museum. A brown parking sign marks the trailhead parking lot. The petroglyphs are at the end of an easy one mile hike. To get to Signal Hill, continue on Kenny Road to Sandario Road and take a right (north). Follow this winding road until you see Golden Gate Road to the right. Take a right onto Golden Gate. The turnoff to Signal Hill and a picnic area will be on the left. More information on Kings Canyon and Signal Hill is available by calling Saguaro National Park West at 733-5158. To get to Picture Rocks Retreat, continue east on Golden Gate Road. The road is not paved. Continue through Contzen pass. The Retreat is on the right side of the road just before the intersection with Wade Road. Information and directions to the petroglyphs are available by calling the Picture Rocks Retreat between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 744-3400.

"It can be anything from a single design motif to something that stretches half a mile on a whole canyonside," said Sharon Urban, research specialist at the Arizona State Museum and secretary of ARARA, the American Rock Art Research Association.

Some of the most elaborate designs were made by the Hohokam, a prehistoric culture that flourished in southern Arizona from about the 200 A.D. until about 1450 A.D. Their art emphasized natural forms, Urban said. "The Hohokam were certainly attuned to their environment," she added.

Why ancient peoples carved designs on rock is a matter of dispute among specialists. Some think that it was a form of magic, others believe they were boundary markers, while others see them as records of important events. Some researchers have given up, Urban said. "Everybody guesses what it means but we are putting our own meaning into it, our own cultural bias."

The Hopi have their own traditions as to what the art symbolizes, but since they consider them sacred, they rarely share their knowledge with archaeologists. "You are not part of that culture and you shouldn't know that stuff," said Urban.

Three rock art sites are open to visitors in and around Saguaro National Park West, an easy drive from Tucson. The Kings Canyon site is at the end of an easy, one-mile trail. Petroglyphs can be found near the small stream that cuts through the canyon, a second cluster of rock art can be found further up the canyon. Over 300 designs in all have been recorded there.

The Signal Hill site is on a rugged volcanic hill with a good view of the desert. There are over 200 designs, mostly geometric shapes, and a spiral form that catches the light of the sunrise at the summer solstice.

The third site is Picture Rocks, a large outcrop of volcanic rocks at the end of a wash. Human and animal figures dominate this site. Picture Rocks is on private land but is open to visitors with permission.

Rock art is easily damaged and irreplaceable. Touching, walking on or making rubbings of the designs can cause permanent damage. Damaging or defacing rock art is a misdemeanor. A first offense can bring up to 4 months in jail and a $750 fine.

In other words, feel free to look, but don't touch.