Texas researchers have now definitively dated a distinctive rock art tradition, a profound discovery shared across multiple ancient Mesoamerican cultures.
For thousands of years, ancient forager societies across southwest Texas and northern Mexico painted these stunning murals, known as the “Pecos River Style,” inside remote limestone rock shelters.
These colossal murals stretch up to 100 feet long and soar 20 feet tall. In a dramatic announcement by Texas State University, researchers revealed that “the canyons of Southwest Texas house a vast and ancient library of painted texts documenting 175 generations of sacred stories and indigenous knowledge.”
This monumental tradition is thus deeply embedded in the history and landscape of this US region. Though the desert climate perfectly preserved these significant American works, researchers only recently attempted to date the tradition, leading to a shocking contradiction of long-held archaeological beliefs.
“As an artist and archaeologist, I can tell you that this is a breathtaking discovery,” Carolyn Boyd told Texas State.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member