Online Rock Art Lectures

Assessing the Variability and Chronology of Red Linear Style Pictographs in the Lower Pecos Canyonlands of Texas by Jerod Roberts     Register

This presentation aims to further define the characteristics of Red Linear style anthropomorphic figures, identify regional variations, and establish its temporal relationship with other regional rock art styles of the Lower Pecos Canyonlands of Texas and Coahuila, Mexico. In 2013, Boyd et al. presented a list of diagnostic attributes for the Red Linear style, shedding light on the style's unique features. Additionally, they identified 38 Red Linear figures under the Pecos River style, suggesting that the Red Linear style as either older than or contemporaneous with the Pecos River style. Building on this foundation, this thesis incorporates anthropomorphic attributes from 15 additional Red Linear sites documented during Shumla Archaeological Research and Education Center's Alexandria Project, resulting in a comprehensive list of 614 Red Linear anthropomorphs across 25 sites. Statistical and geospatial analyses were employed to discern patterns of regional variation within the Red Linear style. To pinpoint the chronological context of the Red Linear style, seven anthropomorphs with clear diagnostic Red Linear attributes were chosen for radiocarbon dating, resulting in dates between 4830±35 and 4275±35 RCYBP. These findings bolster Boyd et al.'s conclusions, offering an enriched understanding through absolute dating methods, pivotal for subsequent research endeavors in the region.

Jerod Roberts is an archaeologist with ten years of experience in the Lower Pecos region, focusing on the documentation of rock art. His primary interest lies in the Pecos River style and the Red Linear style, among other rock art in the area. Jerod's dedication to studying these ancient expressions has deepened the understanding of their significance and context. He recently earned his master's degree from Texas State University, where his research centered on the Red Linear style. Passionate about archaeology, Jerod continues his work with a commitment to exploring and preserving the intricacies found in the Lower Pecos's rock art.