Rock Art has been discovered all over the world that dates from early pre-literate cultures. These cultures found that recording their tribal histories, celestial observations, and power-building visions on the faces of rocks and in the depths of caves was an assistance in recording their experiences - and in focusing intention on experiences they wanted to bring to themselves.

Hunting magic is a regular part of aboriginal rock art; the visionary dreams of religious experience is another common theme in rock art; and star maps or maps of the emergence of a people in this world are other depictions found in rock art. Being pre-literate means that these people did not have a written alphabet, and this in turn makes the rock art imagery a very important and rich testament to their way of life and beliefs. They had stories to tell about the creation of life, the formation of the universe, the unusual stars or comets they saw, about the animals they sought to hunt or revere, and about their own lives as they came of age and entered adulthood.

In the California Backcountry, rock art of many types can be found. Etched on boulders are petroglyphs where the dark surface of the weathered rock has been chipped away to expose a lighter under-surface that creates a strong contrast to the outer patina. These carved images withstand the effects of weather the best of all rock art. Then under rock overhangs, and deep in caves, we can find more delicate painted - pictograph - rock art that can also include petroglyphs. These paintings tell elaborate stories that no one left on earth can be certain of understanding the meaning of. Rock art holds a mystery that is fascinating… where to find them is one challenge as they are most often completely hidden from normal view, and then we face the bigger questions of why they were made.

Like the scientists who study these beautiful images, we are all wondering what do they mean ? Who made them ? What was life like when they were made ? How were they made ? And why were they made ? Let's take a look at the Rock Art of the California Backcountry, read what scientists think the answers to these long standing questions may be, ask our own questions, and perhaps draw our own conclusions.

Meet our Trail Guide, Bill Hyder

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