Archaeologists exploring remote mesas in northern Arizona have found a previously undocumented group of petroglyphs, one of which is a prehistoric solar calendar.
Sunrise in Wupatki, Arizona
Photo: CC BY NC 2.0
The petroglyphs were found at Wupatki, northeast of Flagstaff in Arizona, USA. The area includes the ruins of palaces built by the Anasazi (Pueblo) Indians, also known as the Kayenta or Sinagua.
Panorama of the ruins of Vupatka
Photo: CC BY SA 2.5
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The study was conducted by experts from the Northern Arizona Museum with support from the National Park Service. The team was led by David Purcell. The work began in 2014.
Petroglyphs on a rock in Wupatki
Photo: CC BY NC 2.0
For nearly two years, scientists have been exploring the areas known as Mesa Horseshoe, Middle Mesa, and Lesser Mesa. As a result, 138 new panels of petroglyphs were found, many of which contained dozens of individual petroglyphs. Thus, in total, over 1,500 new individual glyphs have been discovered.
The first records of petroglyphs in northern Arizona date back to the late 1800s. Scientists have concluded that most of the images were made by the Anasazi (Pueblo) Indians 4000 years ago.
Anasazi is an ancient Native American culture that lived in southeastern Utah, northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southwestern Colorado from 5440 BC. before 460 AD
Rock Palace in Mesa Verde. Montezuma County, Colorado, USA
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One of the petroglyphs is located on the southern side of the rock ledge, it is known as panel 50 and was described for the first time in 1931. Purcell confirmed that it is a solar calendar designed to track time through the interaction of light and shadow. The panel is a set of eight circles with a diameter of 7 to 9 centimeters, arranged in rows of two, three, two and one circles.
This panel creates a unique ratio of light and shade in early spring, autumn and winter. Researchers believe that this is an observatory for determining the winter solstice and equinox. Purcell said: "The people living on the Mesa horseshoe watched light and shadow and realized that this was how important solar landmarks such as the equinox could be identified and added petroglyphs to indicate it."
A sample of a cave painting near Sedona, Arizona, USA, depicting the position of the sun
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In 2006, archaeologists also discovered an extraordinary petroglyph in Arizona depicting a starburst seen by Native Americans. It is believed to be the only known record of a supernova explosion in AD 1006. The petroglyph was found in the Phoenix Park.
Watch a video about the mysterious civilization of Anasazi
