Dissertation Research: Prehistoric Missouri Petroglyphs

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Although work by avocational archaeologists has shown that the state of Missouri is rich in prehistoric rock paintings and engravings, no comprehensive and systematic research has been done on this rich data source. Under the direction of Dr. David Browman, Ms. Carol Diaz-Granados will examine these materials as part of her doctoral dissertation research. She has contacted three individuals and been given copies of their notes and records. In addition, she has begun to collect information on other previously unreported sites through a questionnaire mailing to the 600 members of the Missouri Archaeological Society and has contacted professionals in adjoining regions. A field survey will follow up all replies, and the location of materials will be verified. The data will then be recorded and the paintings and engravings photographed in a standardized way. In a following analysis, groupings will be discerned and each will then be analyzed for individual elements, motifs, theme content, and structure. Locational analyses will include related environmental variables. The result should provide insight into the function of rock graphics as a means of information transmittal. While archaeologists agree that in principle rock art provides a valuable source of data for reconstructing prehistoric societies, in practice little emphasis has, in North America at least, been placed on this. Data, if published, are usually scattered and hard to synthesize. Different recording methods are used. Also, no widely acceptable techniques exist for the analysis of data. Ms. Diaz-Granados project should help to remedy this situation and, hopefully, provide an exemplar and stimulus for this field. This research is important for several reasons. First, it will assemble a large data base which will be of interest to many archaeologists. Secondly, it will increase our understanding of North America's past. Finally, it will assist in the training of an extremely promising young scientist.