Rock art on Gabriola in 1792
The ever-fascinating Northwest Coast Archaeology blog has some Gabriola content today: Rock art on Gabriola in 1792. The blogger, qmackie, has found this image in the University of Washington’s digital collections.
Well, Gabriola, where could this be? The image label says near Descanso Bay. I’d say Malaspina Galleries, but I don’t think there is any rock art there. Was there, once? Or might this depict a different place along the Gabriola shore – somewhere near Descanso? Does anything come to mind as a likely location? Or is it just that the rock art shown in the engraving used to be at the Malaspina Galleries, but has faded away over the last 200 years?
Filed in Gabriola Island,history 7 Comments so far
7 Responses to “Rock art on Gabriola in 1792”
John Hudson on 30 Jan 2010 at 2:48 pm #
Definitely the Malaspina Galleries, I’d say, albeit modified for artistic effect: the curvature of the roof is not so consistent as shown in this image. Also, there is a piece of hanging stone coming down from the roof that is not shown here.
Perhaps the rock art is also artistic license? Maybe the artist took reports of petroglyphs on Gabriola and incorporated them into this view of the Malaspina Galleries? The face on the wall looks more like a protruding profile of a mask than a petroglyph carved into the rock.
qmackie on 30 Jan 2010 at 11:37 pm #
Is there wave action or spray on the sides and ceiling of the galleries in winter time storms or other storms? It seems sheltered to me but if there was significant wave erosion or salty spray then all bets are off as to whether pictographs could survive 200 years (I think they could if they stayed dry). The caption identifies the rock art as petroglyphs or rock carving, but lots of people make the mistake of calling pictographs petroglyphs and vice versa.
Thanks for the link, also, gabriolan.
Gabriolan on 30 Jan 2010 at 11:49 pm #
qmackie — When it’s stormy outside, I like to be by the fire with a book, and would take care to avoid places like the Malaspina Galleries. I’ve not been there during storms, but I’d be willing to bet a keg of beer that waves and salt spray hit the rock during that kind of weather. For enough beer, I’ll go down during a storm and find out. :-)
qmackie on 31 Jan 2010 at 12:14 am #
Is there not a pub down by the ferry terminal? Maybe with a pair of binoculars you could view the gallery in a storm from there without even putting on your helly-hansens. That would be my first strategy, and I’d probably try it four or five times to give it a chance.
Gabriolan on 31 Jan 2010 at 12:23 am #
qmackie — I like the way you think.There is indeed a pub by the ferry terminal. One cannot see the rocks on the shore near the ferry terminal well enough from there, much less the Malaspina Galleries, which are rather a ways away. Still, if beer is involved I would have to test my assumptions with several pints of ale. All for the point of important research, you understand.
qmackie on 31 Jan 2010 at 9:37 am #
The rigour of your research design is limited only by the condition of your liver, gabriolan. I salute your commitment to SCIENCE. Well done, old boot.
Gabriolan on 31 Jan 2010 at 8:54 pm #
qmackie — Does that mean you’ll recommend my studies for various funding grants? There’s the beer to pay for, you know.