Petroglyph National Monument — North Boca Negra Canyon (New Mexico)
Boca Negra N
Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE)·Palaeolithic to Iron Age·🇺🇸 New Mexico, Petroglyph National Monument, United States
About
About Petroglyph National Monument — North Boca Negra Canyon (New Mexico)
Petroglyph National Monument — North Boca Negra Canyon (New Mexico) in New Mexico, Petroglyph National Monument, United States is a Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE) rock art attributed to Palaeolithic to Iron Age. Systematic survey and photogrammetry document stratified deposits. The site includes a principal enclosure and ancillary settlement. Dimensions panel 8.5 m × 3.2 m; shelter 28 m wide × 12 m deep; area 5.1 ha. Excavation excavated; condition partially preserved. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Palaeolithic to Iron Age rock-art with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 1600 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction technique
- 02Relation to regional network
Theories
- 01Territorial marker
- 02Elite residence hypothesis
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 15000 BCE
- Period
- Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Palaeolithic to Iron Age
- Purpose
- Rock art panel and ritual gallery
- Rediscovered
- 2004
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 15000 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 878 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1938
Modern rediscovery and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
35.1500° N · 106.7200° W · 1600 m · 3 mapped features
Main Painted Panel
panelMain Painted Panel at Petroglyph National Monument — North Boca Negra Canyon (New Mexico) — panel with stratified deposits
35.1523° N · 106.7187° WUpper Gallery Niche
galleryUpper Gallery Niche at Petroglyph National Monument — North Boca Negra Canyon (New Mexico) — gallery with stratified deposits
35.1488° N · 106.7208° WAncillary Engraving Cluster
engravingAncillary Engraving Cluster at Petroglyph National Monument — North Boca Negra Canyon (New Mexico) — engraving with stratified deposits
35.1478° N · 106.7203° W