La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs

The La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs are a rock art site near Santa Fe, New Mexico. It is a mesa above the Sante Fe River containing thousands of petroglyphs. Followers of the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro also pass this site.[2]

La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs
Rock art
A large collection of petroglyphs on a rock, 2023
La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs
La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs
Coordinates: 35.6047°N 106.1240°W / 35.6047; -106.1240
Location662-674 Paseo Real, Santa Fe, NM 87507
Age400-800 years old
Etymology"Ciénaga", Spanish for "mash"
Defining authorityBureau of Land Management
Area
 • Total1.5 km (0.93 mi)[1]

History

The petroglyphs were created by speakers of the Keres and Tanoan languages from the 13th and 17th centuries. Their descendants live in the Cochiti and Santo Domingo pueblos.[2][3] A contrasting theory states the markings were made from 8000 to 2000 BC.[4]

Features

Many figures depict a humpbacked flute player, the fertility deity Kokopelli, and birds.[2][5] A survey in 1991 recorded 1,385 bird figures out of the over 4400 total.[1] The petroglyphs' meanings, despite being studied extensively, are unknown. Many of the etchings are also indecipherable.[6] The northern part of the site is less-studied.[1]

Threats

The area is commonly used for target practice for paintball players, resulting in vandalism and the defacement of rock art. Graffiti is also prevalent.[1][5]

References
  1. "Galisteo Basin Archaeology - La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs". New Mexico Office of Archaeological Studies. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  2. "La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs". Bureau of Land Management. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
  3. Cerva, Gina Rae La (2022-02-01). "Ancient New Mexican Rock Art Was Just Vandalized with Swastikas and Racial Slurs". Outside Online. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  4. Thomas, Alaina (2022-10-27). "La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs: Everything You Need to Know". Beyond The Moments. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  5. "La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs". GJHikes. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  6. "An Insider's Guide to Walking Ancient Paths and Rock Art". Santa Fe Tourism. 2016-09-20. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
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