Abstract:

Petroglyph sites at Swift Current and Herschel underwent testing in 1992 to determine if archaeological deposits were in direct physical contact with the rock art. These tests were positive and rock paintings (in black pigment) were unexpectedly encountered beneath cultural materials at Swift Current. The sites consist of monoliths containing both figurative and non-figurative petroglyphs. Minute pecking and broad grooving characterize the basic technology, and a secondary technology featuring relatively fine incising over the basic work is present at Herschel. Morphologically both sites exhibit form and technique consistent with preceramic rock art elsewhere in the mid-continent. Radiocarbon dates on bone and charcoal from the articulated cultural deposits are later than the rock art at both sites. At Herschel, these deposits reflect domestic activities, and at Swift Current they contain minute pecking stones and pigment possibly used ritualistically in relation to the rock art itself. Extensive future work is planned.