One recent M.A. thesis I was really looking forward to reading is by Amanda Adams entitled Visions cast on stone : a stylistic analysis of the petroglyphs of Gabriola Island, B.C., from UBC Anthropology 2003, and available for free download here.

I was particularly interested to read the instructions she received on proper deportment when visiting the rock art:

Sites were visited in a manner and with a personal code of conduct adhering to Snuneymuxw wishes. Petroglyph sites were not visited at either dawn or dusk. A respectful demeanor was expected as was an open heart and mind (Bill Seward, Snuneymuxw elder, personal communication 2002). I was asked to give my full attention to the petroglyphs and their sacredness, not allowing daily distractions to interfere with my concentration on the ancient imagery. These expectations were met to the best of my ability. (18-19)

While many archaeologists are under the impression that there is little to no ethnographic information about petroglyphs, I have long felt that more likely such knowledge is private or highly privileged and not readily shareable. In this self-serving sense, it was gratifying to see that Adams was able to record some such information: [continue]

I’ll try to post more petroglyph photos soon, as well as blog entries for all the things I’ve been meaning to tell you or ask you.

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?

It looks like a cheery dog to me, and I know that the Snuneymuxw did keep dogs… so?

On the other hand, it’s not like I know much about Snuneymuxw rock art, so somebody else is bound to have a better answer.

I must comment on the destructive practice of rubbing, not so much through cloth but the scraping of the lines to remove weathering patina and lichen in order to take clearer photographs. This is a very unfortunate practice which hastens the disintegration of the rock art. [continue]

Well, that’s good to know.

In another post, Petroglyphs are not lifestyle amenities, the writer has some strong things to say about the Legends of Spirit Rock development:

This is so crass I can’t even begin to express it. Desecrating one of the most significant rock art sites in the Province does not allow you to claim there is significant spiritual, healing energy of the First Nations history. Have you no shame, Legends at Spirit Rock developers? [read the whole post, and comments]

I like bloggers who express strong views (and righteous anger!) when they judge that to be appropriate. What a refreshing read.

I’m glad we have all those petroglyph reproductions at the Gabriola Museum, but it’s way more fun to come across a real petroglyph in the middle of the forest somewhere.

Archaeological Society of British Columbia Nanaimo chapter presentation: 7 p.m. at Vancouver Island University, Building 356, Room 109. Nick Doe will make a presentation on the meaning of the petroglyphs on Gabriola Island.

That’s from this page of the Nanaimo Daily News. They didn’t give a date for the event, but they did say Friday, and the events list was posted yesterday.