Rock Drawings of the Coso Range (Maturango Museum, Publication No. 4)

by J. Kenneth Pringle, Campbell Grant, James W. Baird

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0943041007
• ISBN13: 9780943041001
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Maturango Press
• Length: 147 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.0" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

Coso rock art 101

This is rock art 101 for Coso Range from three authorities. This book presents the material in an early period to late period with lots of rock art field pictures, explains and interprets their development and meanings. The authors believed the rock art showed the development of a bighorn sheep cult and reached a greater ceremonial complexity. They also believed that the Native Americans developed locally rather than diffused from other region. This easy to read and follow book is good for all Americans who want to learn more about the heritage of Native American. It may lead readers to explore more and a subsequent physical tour.

Classic Coso Volume Stands the Test of Time

The Grant, Baird, and Pringle volume is still the go to work when starting out on any attempt to understand and appreciate the rock drawings of the Coso Range. This is an outstanding study with a great breath and depth with much to consider and reflect over. Some of the material is dated but much of their discussions still apply and many continuing debates turn on the key points introduced into the study. The topics of research that they cover and are still topics discussed and debated in archaeological circles include: Who made the glyphs (ethnic identities of the Coso artisans)? When were they made (revised estimates seem to suggest from ca. 8000 BC or even earlier to ca. AD 1300)? Why were they made (hunting magic, shamanism, other)? Why did they quit (overkill of bighorn, drought, other)? The book is an inexpensive treat for the mind and they eye. I have read and re-read this work perhaps 20 times or more and I still find kernels of knowledge that can be gleaned out of the authors original insights into the mysteries of the Coso Range Rock Art. Highly recommended!