New research has uncovered that the **Pecos River rock art** in **West Texas** dates back approximately **6,000 years** and encompasses complex metaphysical concepts that significantly influenced the belief systems of various **Mesoamerican** cultures. This study, conducted partly at **Texas State University**, involved a collaborative effort by **Karen Steelman, Ph.D.**, **Carolyn Boyd, Ph.D.**, and **Phil Dering, Ph.D.**, with their findings published in the journal **Science Advances**.
In their paper titled “Mapping the chronology of an ancient cosmovision: 4000 years of continuity in Pecos River style mural painting and symbolism,” the researchers present substantial evidence regarding the timeline and significance of these ancient artworks. “We have securely dated one of the most distinctive rock art traditions in the world— the Pecos River style murals of Southwest Texas,” Boyd stated. The study utilized **57 radiocarbon dates** collected from **12 sites**, revealing that Indigenous communities began creating these vibrant murals nearly **6,000 years ago**.
The murals, characterized by intricate compositions of human, animal, and geometric figures, were painted within limestone rock shelters. Some of these pictographs measure over **100 feet** long and **20 feet** tall. The dry desert conditions of the region have remarkably preserved these ancient artworks.
Previously, many archaeologists believed that these expansive murals were a compilation of images added over centuries. However, the recent radiocarbon dating conducted by the research team suggested otherwise. Boyd remarked, “Another huge shocker is that the dates within many of the murals clustered so closely as to be statistically indistinguishable, suggesting that they were produced during a single painting event as a visual narrative.” This finding contradicts the long-held view that the murals represented a random accumulation of images over time.
The researchers employed advanced techniques, including **plasma oxidation** and **accelerator mass spectrometry**, to obtain their findings. Bayesian modeling estimates that the Pecos River style began between **5,760** and **5,385 years ago** and likely concluded between **1,370** and **1,035 years ago**. Further analysis demonstrated that eight of the murals adhered to a defined set of rules and an established iconographic vocabulary, indicating a consistent messaging system throughout significant cultural shifts.
The implications of this research suggest that the Pecos River style paintings were embedded within a cultural keystone landscape, effectively transmitting intricate metaphysical ideas that influenced the symbolic expressions of later Mesoamerican agricultural societies. Boyd elaborated on this, stating, “The compositional nature of the murals was further supported by our analysis of the painting sequence. Using a digital microscope to retrace the steps followed by the original artists, we discovered that the painters adhered to a rule-bound color application order.”
The findings highlight that these artworks are not merely decorative; they are visual manuscripts meticulously crafted according to generational guidelines. “They are visual manuscripts created according to a set of rules passed down from one generation to the next for more than **4,000 years**,” Boyd explained.
In an uplifting conclusion, Boyd noted the enduring relevance of these ancient stories. “Today Indigenous communities in the U.S. and Mexico can relate the stories communicated through the imagery to their own cosmologies, demonstrating the antiquity and persistence of a pan-New World belief system,” she said. “The canyons of **Southwest Texas** house a vast and ancient library of painted texts documenting **175 generations** of sacred stories and Indigenous knowledge.”
This groundbreaking research not only sheds light on the significance of the Pecos River rock art but also reinforces the deep-rooted connections between ancient and contemporary Indigenous cultures across the Americas.
