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 | |
|---|---|
 A large collection of petroglyphs on a rock, 2023 | |
  La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs  La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs | |
| Coordinates: 35°36′17″N 106°07′26″W / 35.6047°N 106.1240°W | |
| Location | 662-674 Paseo Real, Santa Fe, NM 87507 |
| Age | 400-800 years old |
| Etymology | "Ciénaga", Spanish for "mash" |
| Defining authority | Bureau of Land Management |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.5 km (0.93 mi)[1] |
History
editThe 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
editMany 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
editThe 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
edit- ^ a b c d "Galisteo Basin Archaeology - La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs". New Mexico Office of Archaeological Studies. Archived from the original on February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ a b c "La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs". Bureau of Land Management. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ Cerva, Gina Rae La (February 1, 2022). "Ancient New Mexican Rock Art Was Just Vandalized with Swastikas and Racial Slurs". Outside Online. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ Thomas, Alaina (October 27, 2022). "La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs: Everything You Need to Know". Beyond The Moments. Archived from the original on February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ a b "La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs". GJHikes. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ "An Insider's Guide to Walking Ancient Paths and Rock Art". Santa Fe Tourism. September 20, 2016. Archived from the original on February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
