In the Land of the Ancient Ones

This is a Ute Indian in Utah. His shield and horned headdress reflect the shields and headdresses in the petroglyphs, comparing the "Old West" with the "Ancient West." The red rock is indicative of this area of the state through which the Colorado River runs. In this region, the rocks bear numerous anthropomorphous petroglyphs - humanoid-shaped stone carvings which feature broad shoulders, tapered or triangular torsos, headdresses and short, thin lower extremities. These petroglyphs are interpreted differently by different experts. It is hard to tell for certain what these images actually depicted. The spirals could be the sun or they could represent migration. Below the scalp which hangs from the Ute's spear is a carving of an arm holding a circle which is three quarters dark. One quarter may represent fertility and the rest drought. We may never know for certain.