Image Credit: Shumla Archaeological Research & Education Center

Ancient Texas Rock Art Spanned 4000 Years

A new scientific study has finally revealed the true age of the Pecos River murals — the monumental, multicolored rock art found in limestone shelters across southwest Texas and northern Mexico. Using an innovative radiocarbon technique, researchers determined that this artistic tradition began around 3815 BCE and continued until roughly AD 900, lasting an extraordinary 4,000 years, or about 175 generations.
Dating the murals was long considered impossible because the pigments are made from inorganic minerals like iron oxides. To overcome this, scientists extracted tiny traces of organic carbon — likely from ancient binders such as animal fat or plant material — using a plasma oxidation method. They then dated the samples with Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS), analyzing 53 images from 12 sites.
The results show remarkable continuity. Despite spanning millennia, the murals maintained consistent styles, symbols, and colors, suggesting each large panel was painted as a single coordinated event, not updated over centuries. The symbols reflect enduring spiritual ideas that may have influenced later Mesoamerican cultures.
Beyond redefining the timeline of North American rock art, the new dating approach could help archaeologists determine the age of similar artworks around the world.

Published on: 27-11-2025

Edited by: Abdulmnam Samakie

Source: Phys.org