Rock Art & Morteros
ROCK ART: ANZA-BORREGO DESERT'S FORGOTTEN ARTISTS
The Indians of the Anza-Borrego Desert, the Cahuilla, Cupeño, Diegueño, and Kumeyaay, left a legacy of religion, mythology and social customs. They also left a legacy of art: an open-air gallery of rock art. These petroglyphs and pictographs are eyewitness accounts, vivid on-the-scene reports that give us some idea of what was important to the people who once inhabited this desert.
The rock drawings speak of the soul of man, of his religion and mythology and his inner feelings about the spirits and the universe. Rock art is a testimony of ceremonies, of important historical occasions, as well as of the fears and joys of life. Rock art is also symbolic communication conveying powerful images of the supernatural; it is a mirror, reflecting the complexity of human culture and the intricacies of the mind.
Photo credit: “The Forgotten Artist, Indians of Anza-Borrego and Their Rock Art” by Manfred Knaak. Published by the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association.
Rock art speaks of the forgotten artist of the Anza-Borrego Desert. Forgotten in the sense that his works of art, displayed on the surfaces of rocks have only in the last twenty-five years been rediscovered and systematically studied.
For those who hike and explore this beautiful desert, a chance find of rock art can heighten the wilderness experience. If you find a remnant of these treasures, we ask you to respect it. It may have little meaning to the viewer, but it is part of the Native American heritage, which is quickly fading away. It is truly art. Much of it was sacred. Treat it with reverence.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PICTOGRAPHS AND PETROGLYPHS?
Rock art is generally divided in two categories: painting sites (pictographs) and carving sites (petroglyphs). Pictographs are paintings that were made by applying red ochre or sometimes black, white or yellow dye.
WHAT ARE MORTEROS?
Morteros are deep mortar holes in rock where Native Americans used stones (pestles) to grind acorns and other wild foods into flour.
WHERE CAN I SEE ROCK ART AND MORTEROS?
Here are a few spots in Anza-Borrego where you can view rock art and/or morteros. Click on the button/photo for more details about each location.
Pictograph & Morteros Trails – Combine these two short hikes in Blair Valley to see many pictographs and morteros. 2 miles roundtrip.
Mine Wash – Visit the Native American village site in Mine Wash. Many morteros are scatted among the large boulders. The turnoff is on the south side of Highway 78 about 3 miles east of the Tamarisk Grove Campground. 4WD is not required for the route to the village site but high clearance is advised.
Bow Willow – There is old trail leading up to Mount Laguna where you can see remnants of morteros.