Photo from Western Parks Association

Part 1: Overview

This class is not only about petroglyphs themselves but we discuss what writing itself is and what a poem or poetry is and how those can differ from a story or instructional writing. Or petroglyphs.

We will consider the possible intention of carving petroglyphs and in what ways they can be considered a writing system or even poetical.

If you need a text overview of any audio lecture, please email mary@bigbangpoetry.com.

 

Part 2:  Content

2.1 Why Talk About Petroglyphs?

What are petroglyphs and who made them? And why?

Audio Lecture: Why Talk About Petroglyphs?  (6:31 minutes)

 

2.2 Let’s See Some Petroglyphs!

This will be the only video I will likely make for this PodClass. But since I live so close to some petroglyphs (about 300 yards) I felt I had to show you some and how they exist among us.

On the way to make the video, I took some pictures. You can click to enlarge the photos.

In the video I mention basaltic rock (or lava rock):

Some petroglyphs at this location:

This site is also a good example of modern graffiti carved on rocks next to ancient petroglyphs. You can tell the ancient carvings by their aged patina as opposed to the modern graffiti with its commonly snarky content. Humans.

All photos (unless specified) by Mary McCray. Thanks to archaeologist Monsieur Big Bang (John McCray) for assisting with the video and for his archaeological consulting on this class.

Because the Albuquerque Petroglyph National Monument is surrounded by a city, you will be hearing the swamp cooler from a house nearby.

YouTube Video: Let’s See Some Petroglyphs (4:10 minutes)

 

2.3 Claims for Petroglyphs as Writing

Why do humans want to record things on permanent surfaces? What counts as a “written record”?

Audio Lecture: Claims for Petroglyphs as Writing (4:45 minutes)

 

2.4 Claims for Petroglyphs as Poetry

What is poetry and how does it differ from other kinds of informational and literary compositions?

In this lecture I mention the Man in the Maze, which is a popular image invoked across various Indian Nation cultures. Usually only spirals are found as petroglyphs (without the man). Here is more information about the Man in the Maze.

Audio Lecture: Claims for Petroglyphs as Poetry (7:50 minutes)

 

2.5 American Themes of the Petroglyphs

We’ll talk more about what American themes come up with the carving, preserving and viewing of petroglyphs.

American Themes:

  • Sites of Conflict
    • Protect the past versus progress into the future
    • What is writing, what is poetry, what is art?
    • Who owns rocks in public spaces?
  • American Identity
  • Multitudes
  • Challenges to Authority
  • Bonus Theme: The Open Road

Audio Lecture: American Themes of the Petroglyphs (7:19 minutes)

 

Part 3: Writing Exercises

You can do one, a few or all, as you like.

  1. Go out exploring (on the internet or in your neighborhood, possibly on a road trip) to find:
  2. Make your own petroglyphs (decide what you want to say in three petroglyphs):
    1. Draw or paint them on paper.
    2. Carve them into clay:
  3. Trace your family’s language history back in time.

 

Questions to Think About Before Next Class:

Try to explain the borders between drawings, alphabets, poems, stories, informational writings and music?

 

Back to the Class Syllabus