Parowan Gap Petroglyphs

The Skeleton Shaman. This panel and one other share a sandstone cliff face on the top of the San Rafael Swell in sight of Interstate 70. The "Skeleton" is based on the apparent 'ribs' of the main figure. The skeleton shaman is about 4 feet high.

Before we get to the main panel, however, I want to check out this other panel that shares the cliff face. These two figures are interesting in themselves and have many features worth commenting on.

And here we have a closer look. There appears to be some spalling that has destroyed some of the detail. Both figures have associated snakes but only the right figure is touching the snake. The snake is near but below head level of both figures. there are four hollow circles to the right of the right figure. There does not appear to be any corresponding feature to the left of the left figure. I try to pay attention to symmetry or lack thereof. The figure at the left has open or loop feet, the figure at the right has solid feed. Both share the same proportion of body to legs, arms and head. The figure at the left has two concentric circle eyes while the figure at the right has a distinctly smaller head and no eyes. The figure at the right has a circular decoration on the chest that appears to consist of three concentric circles as opposed to a spiral. To the left of the left figure there are some smudges and spall areas that indicate something was here originally. Would it have provided symetry?? Unfortunately they cannot be recovered with visible light photography. And yes, the figures are two distinct colors, but portions of each appear in both colors. Significant???

Now this little noticed feature between the main figures. There are seven of these little 'water bug' type figures. All appear to have a head that has three 'feathers' or ‘fingers’ protruding. The bodies appear to be intentionally and originally painted white. Below each are 'streamers' that may signify motion??. And note that both hands of the main figures are approximately anatomically correct with five fingers on each hand and elbows indicated.

Spalling has damaged the left figure, but it is apparent that the figure originally had a left arm rather similar to the right. There was something to the left of the head. Above the head are six circle figures all with streamers. There appears to be two colors of paint, a deep violet and a near black violet, used to create the main figure. The eye 'pupils' and mouth/neck are of the deep violet. The main body appears to be made by parallel vertical stripes that totally fill the torso of the figure. The snake is at head/neck level and flicking its tongue at the figure. While the circles at the top(with the streamers) appear similar, the very top figures are more like inverted horseshoes. Actually a pair of inverted horseshoes. Particularly the right two. The one to the upper right of the main figures head appears to be a combination of the circle with streamers and the horseshoe figures. When at the site, there appears to be traces of white in the centers of the circles with the streamers.

Another closeup of the head of the left figure. The circles above the head are clear and also it is clear that spalling has damaged and possibly removed other circles with streamers. It is hard to tell if this figure ever had any interior detail other than the obvious striping used to create the torso. The paint obviously had varing density. Significant?? The neck appears to have horizontal painting or brush marks in a lighter color. Is this a 'mouth', necklace, collar?? And the eye 'pupil's appear to be different color.

Now this other fellow with the solid feet. He is touching the snake to the right. Is that a bird on the left of his head. If so there are nine such 'bird's over his head. And the 'antennae' on his head are rather like the antennae of moths. The four large hollow circles with streamers are presented with the streamers all to the right. The smaller hollow circles between the figures had streamers to both the left and right. This snake also has its tongue out pointing to the head of the figure and at about head/neck level. The single large 'bird' figure is directly opposite. The main figure appears to be created using vertical stripes and is completely filled except for a circular decoration on the chest. The decoration appears to be made of three concentric circles as opposed to a spiral. Significant??

And a closer look at this figure. The nine 'birds' circling his head are more obvious here. Some of the 'birds' are shown with both wings above the body, some with a wing on either side. The 'bird' to the left of the head is definitely a separate element from the nine above.

The two panels can both be seen in this picture, the two figure panel at the left and the 'Skeleton Shaman' at the right. Both panels are pretty well above the current ground level. It is possible that in the past the ground level was higher due to sand dunes.

The 'Skeleton Shaman'. There is now a single snake and it is above the head of the main figure. There is a single hollow circle with no streamers above the main figure's head. The main figure has two distinct eyes with no pupils shown. The main figure and the 'monkey' like figure to the left have holes in both their hands and feet. The 'monkey' figure and the snake have their respective tongues out and appear to be looking at each other. The 'ribs' of the main figure are clearly visible. The torso of the main figure is created with vertical striping that is not completely filled in. Significant?? The main figure has only four fingers on each hand and no elbow is indicated. Note that both hands on the shaman are at or above shoulder level.

And another view of the main 'Skeleton Shaman' figure. There appear to be traces of white in the eyes and in the circle in front of the snake. And that circle, there is a gap in it and I think it may be original and intentional. If true what is the significance?

The left 'tassel' and the 'monkey'. The 'monkey' appears to have a thumb and three fingers on each hand. Elbows and knees are indicated. The 'tassel' itself is made of four long thick stripes capped by two thin stripes on each side. The 'tassel' appears to be indicating that it is made by folding two thick and two thin lines in the middle. The string at the top has two waves on both tassels. It is striking the care used to make the thin and thick stripes separate over their entire length. There appears to be no touching except at the very top and the same separation is maintained throughout the rest of the figure. Given the uneven stone surface this required skill. And the holes in the hands and feet of the 'monkey' figure. This is obviously significant but how?? Why?? We may never know.

The right tassel has three main thick strands and two thin strands. There is no 'monkey' or other on this side. The tassel is not symetric with the other in the sense that is can not be made by folding given the odd number of thick strands. But other wise it is symetric, just using a single thick and single thin strand. Again the great care used in keeping the strands of the tassel separate. And note the two waves in the string at the top.

Another view.

The view approaching the panel.

Perspective. The cliff face with the 'Skeleton Shaman'. The figure is maybe 10 feet off the current ground level.

The lone warrior. He is across Interstate 70 on another sandstone face.

And the warrior with a lettle help from Lightroom.

And some petroglyphs that share the cliff wall with the lone warrior.