The Rock Art Podcast

Today we interview a recent PhD Graduate from the University of Santa Cruz that is now the project archaeologist for the Mesa Prieta New Mexico Petroglyph Project. We review Dr. Chester Liwosz's background and his recent research and then converse on indexical animals, archaeoacoustics, and the connections with Mesoamerica as recognized in the rock art of eastern California and the American Southw...

Episode #71 features an interview with Trudy Angell, the owner of Saddling South, a cultural tour business that has also partnered with the California Rock Art Foundation for rock art tours. Saddling South conducts field trips to the remarkable areas of Baja California within the remote area known as the Sierra de la San Francisco, the Grand Canyon of Mexico, and other fascinating trips. These loc...

Today’s guest for episode 70 is Dr. John Hoopes, a professor from the University of Kansas. His specialization is Middle American archaeology - which is far south-central America and far northern South America including Columbia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama (just to name a few). John discusses some of his studies and recent publications on the extraordinary objects of gold and jadeite dating f...

In this week's episode, Dr. Alan Garfinkel interviews Kirk Astroth about new and innovative methods he used to date rock art for his masters thesis. Kirk used a combination of established methods and new technology to date panels containing prehistoric, historic, as well as modern rock art. He came to several interesting conclusions, as well as identified ways to continue developing this new direc...

Dr. Mukhopadhyay talks to Alan about their forthcoming book and projects related to the Uto-Aztecan peoples of the eastern Mojave desert and leading into Mexico. They look at the timeline and journey of the iconisity of the Uto-Aztecan people through time and space. Intersted in learning about how to use X-Rays and similar technology in archaeology? Check out the linked PaleoImaging course from Ja...

In this episode Alan interview's the executive director of the Ridgecrest convention and visitors bureau also the principal developer and manager of the annual Petroglyph Festival. On this journey we talk about petroglyphs park the ram dancers of the Grand Canyon and many other things. Come along for a grand adventure. Start your own podcast with Zencastr and get 30% off your first three months wi...

This episode centers on the concept of resource depression and its relationship to the proliferation of religious intensification that includes the production (sometimes) of rock art. We take you on an intellectual journey of research into the dynamics of the habits and habitat of the bighorn sheep, the technology of big game hunting, the controversies surrounding human ecology and Native cosmolog...

Ryan Gerstner is an archaeologist, rock art aficionado, and board member of the California Rock Art Foundation. He's participated in a number of the tours put on by CA Rock Art and Saddling South in Baja California. Ryan talks about his passion for rock art research and gives an intimate portrait of the tours to some of the most remote areas of Baja California. Start your own podcast with Zencastr...

In this week's episode, Dr. Alan Garfinkel interviews Kirk Astroth about new and innovative methods he used to date rock art for his masters thesis. Kirk used a combination of established methods and new technology to date panels containing prehistoric, historic, as well as modern rock art. He came to several interesting conclusions, as well as identified ways to continue developing this new direc...

There are a lot of images in rock art around the world. Some, though, keep coming back no matter where you are. One of those things is SNAKES. That’s right. Snakes or serpents have been depicted in numerous ways in rock art. On today’s episode, Dr. Garfinkel tells us his experience with these images and what they could mean. Start your own podcast and get 30% off your first three months with Zenca...

ENCORE: On this episode we talk to Dr. Tirtha Mukhopadhyay about his career in rock art. From his homeland of Calcutta, India, to continued graduate studies in Texas, and his current research working out of Guanajuato University in Mexico. They take a deep dive into the mysteries surrounding the relationships of science and religion. Our guest scholar provides up to date thinking on how our minds...

Virginia Gonzales is the President of the Legion of Mary in Bakersfield, CA. She joins Dr. Garfinkel to talk about the Virgin of Guadalupe and the creation or replacement of religious elements in native society. They discuss the significance of those elements to the people that practice religion world wide. Links California Rock Art Foundation Contact Dr. Alan Garfinkel avram1952@yahoo.com ArchPod...

Joe Williams joins the podcast today. He directs a non-profit organization that is interested in preservation, protection, and public outreach regarding rock art. Links California Rock Art Foundation Contact Dr. Alan Garfinkel avram1952@yahoo.com ArchPodNet APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodne...

Dr. Noel Hidalgo Tan is a southeast Asian archaeologist, and apparently, there aren't that many. He's almost single-handedly telling the world about SE archaeology through his publications, Instagram, and his website. Tune in and learn about rock art and southeast Asia. Links California Rock Art Foundation Southeast Asian Archaeology Rock Art on Southeast Asian Archaeology Ancient Southeast Asia C...

Today's episode features an interview with Olaf Dowd, Rock Art Replicator. Dowd has 30 years of experience in replicating the imagery of ancient Native peoples, primarily in the western Great Basin. Additionally, he is also the sole developer of the impressive rock art features that pepper the Petroglyph Park developed by the City of Ridgecrest in association with their annual Petroglyph Festival....

We will be interviewing Dick Dickson. He works on base at China Lake Naval Ordnance Testing Station and is a docent helping to lead tours to the world famous Coso Rock Art. He is also a board member of the California Rock Art Foundation. Jump in and take a listen. Learn why Ridgecrest is a world famous location and what they have as their signature thematic function. Links California Rock Art Foun...

Bernie Taylor graces the 56th episode of the Rock Art Podcast. Bernie provides an amazing word picture of the journey of our ancestors with respect to religion and science. Including a discussion of rock art, archaeoastronomy, shamanism, animism, and animal habits. What Bernie and Dr. Garfinkel discuss is how the movements of the sun and animal behavior are linked and how rock art is part of the s...

Trudy Angell is the principal for Saddling South a travel company that runs trips into the interior of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. She and her company are pioneers in this kind of adventure, off the grid, travel. This is especially relevant when it comes to some of the most spectacular and among the largest rock art images in the world. The Great Mural Rock Art of Baja is both spectac...

Dr. Garfinkel has been to Baja California a number of times to study the rock paintings of the area and to lead tours for the California Rock Art Foundation. On this episode, Chris interviews Dr. Garfinkel about the significance of the works, what they could mean, and about the people that made them. Links California Rock Art Foundation Rock Paintings of the Sierra De San Francisco CRAF Trip Info...

Bernie Taylor graces the 53rd episode of the Rock Art Podcast. Bernie provides an amazing word picture of the journey of our ancestors with respect to religion and science. Including a discussion or rock art, archaeoastronomy, shamanism, animism, totemism, and animal habits. This is one wild ride you won't want to miss. Amazing discussion packed with lots of insights and remarkable reflections......

Today we interview Jose Botello about his ethnobotanical research. These are the plants that are used for altered states of consciousness. We're also talking about the realm of syncretism where native religion meets Christianity. Links California Rock Art Foundation Contact Chris Webster chris@archaeologypodcastnetwork.com Twitter: @archeowebby Dr. Alan Garfinkel avram1952@yahoo.com ArchPodNet APN...

Dr. Tirtha Mukhopadhyay of Guanahuato University in Mexico is the number one guest on the Rock Art podcast and has received a tremendous amount of interest in his research and scholarship. The good doctor will spend with us an hour on the origins and development of religion. Our conversation includes discussions on rock art, human paleontology, shamanism, animism, totemism, and neurotheology. Don'...

The Hmong are a people spread across the world with a rich culture. Today, Alan talks to Pakou Yang and her Hmong family and ancestry. They discuss culture, religion, and celebrations. Links California Rock Art Foundation Hmong Festivals Page on Facebook Contact Chris Webster chris@archaeologypodcastnetwork.com Twitter: @archeowebby Dr. Alan Garfinkel avram1952@yahoo.com ArchPodNet APN Website: ht...

On today’s episode we interview Kari Crutcher executive director of the Ridgecrest Convention and Visitors Bureau. They are the developers and hosts of the worlds only petroglyph festival. The festival brings between 5000 and 15,000 people for a weekend of celebration. This is a remarkable gathering and one that pays homage to the Native American heritage of the area. Tune in and find out all abou...

Albert Knight traces his associations with rock art studies throughout his lengthy career and focuses on the nature of discovery and the most remarkable sites he has had the joy of working on. Burro Flats in the Simi Valley of southern California in Los Angeles County is akin to the Chumash rock art painted pictograph traditions. The site exhibits polychrome paintings within a rock shelter that so...