Barrier Canyon Style facts for kids
Barrier Canyon Style (BCS) is a special kind of rock art. You can find it mostly in Utah. The biggest groups of these artworks are in places like the San Rafael Swell and Canyonlands National Park. But you can also find them in other parts of Utah and western Colorado.
This art style got its name from Polly Schaafsma in 1971. She wrote a book called "The Rock Art of Utah." She named it after Barrier Creek in Horseshoe Canyon, where some of these artworks were first found.
Most Barrier Canyon Style art pieces are pictographs. This means they were painted onto the rock. But some are also petroglyphs, which means they were carved or pecked into the rock.
Scientists believe this art was made a very long time ago. It's thought to be between 1,500 and 4,000 years old. Some small clay figures found in a similar style are even older, possibly over 7,000 years old!
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What Makes Barrier Canyon Style Special?
Barrier Canyon Style art is unique. It often shows tall, ghost-like figures. These figures usually don't have arms or legs. They might have big, empty eyes. Sometimes, they seem to float or stand still.
The artists used natural colors from minerals. Red, brown, and black are common. They mixed these colors with water or animal fat. Then they painted them onto the rock walls.
What Do the Figures Look Like?
The figures in Barrier Canyon Style are often very tall. They can be life-sized or even bigger. They look like people but are very stylized. This means they are not drawn to look exactly real.
Many figures have patterns on their bodies. These patterns can be dots, stripes, or zigzags. Some figures have strange shapes coming from their heads. These might be headdresses or spiritual symbols.
Sometimes, smaller animals or objects are painted near the large figures. These could be birds, snakes, or other mysterious shapes. They add to the story the ancient artists were telling.
Where Can You Find Barrier Canyon Style Art?
You can find these amazing artworks in many places across Utah. The most famous spots are in the desert canyons. These areas are often hard to reach. This has helped protect the art for thousands of years.
The dry climate of Utah's deserts also helps preserve the paintings. They are safe from rain and harsh weather. This allows us to see them today, just as ancient people did.
Famous Barrier Canyon Style Sites
Many sites are protected in national parks or monuments. This helps keep them safe for future generations. When visiting, it's important to respect these ancient places. Never touch the art, as oils from your skin can damage it.
Here are some well-known places where you can see Barrier Canyon Style art:
