Nestled along a bluff overlooking the Concho River in west-central Texas, the Paint Rock pictograph site stands as the most remarkable rock art location on the Edwards Plateau. This extraordinary open-air gallery showcases over 1,500 individual paint rock pictographs, stretching across nearly a half-mile of a limestone cliff face, just a short distance from the town aptly named Paint Rock. Painted by indigenous artists using a vibrant palette of red, orange, yellow, white, and black, these paint rock images depict a rich tapestry of life and symbolism. Visitors to this significant site can observe depictions of animals such as buffalo and deer, human figures engaged in what appear to be dances or rituals, and a mesmerizing array of geometric designs that adorn the high bluff. Adding a personal touch, some artists left their handprints, perhaps as signatures or simply to mark their presence at this special place.
The paint rock site holds a unique position within Texas rock art. It is one of the few significant sites found in central and northwest Texas, regions where rock art is less common compared to the Lower Pecos and Trans-Pecos areas. Generally, rock art in those southern and western regions is older and better preserved. While definitively dating the earliest paint rock pictographs remains a challenge, archaeological investigations at the site have unearthed arrow points and fragments of earthenware pottery. These artifacts provide evidence that the site was actively used at least as far back as the Toyah period (approximately A.D. 1300 – 1650). This era is reflected in some of the paint rock drawings that illustrate hunters armed with bows and arrows. Intriguingly, the presence of paintings depicting horses and a church indicates that native groups continued to utilize and add to the paint rock gallery even after encountering Spanish influence.
The formal documentation of the paint rock pictographs (archaeological designation 41CC1) began in the 1930s with A.T. Jackson, a pioneering figure in Texas archeology. In 1935, rock art illustrator Forrest Kirkland visited the site to meticulously record the paintings. Kirkland’s observations led him to estimate that, tragically, at least a quarter of the paint rock pictographs had already been lost due to vandalism and natural erosion. Fortunately, the landowners of the property have since become dedicated stewards, actively protecting the site from further damage and vandalism, ensuring the preservation of this invaluable cultural heritage.
Among the paint rock pictographs, a particularly intriguing painting depicts a rectangular structure topped with two crosses (see plate 7, No.6 in Kirkland’s documentation). Many researchers believe this image represents the San Saba Mission, the historical remains of which are located approximately 50 miles south near present-day Menard. Established by the Spanish in 1757 for the Lipan Apache people, some of the paint rock images, including a depiction of a devil figure (Plate 107, No.9), are potentially attributed to this tribe. The Paint Rock area was historically a zone of conflict between the Lipan and Comanche tribes. It is possible that the Comanche, along with various other indigenous groups who traversed the valley during historic times, also contributed to the artistic narrative on the paint rock bluff.
Some researchers have proposed interpretations for certain paint rock paintings of human figures, suggesting they might represent abductions of early Anglo settlers in the region, perhaps even depicting figures holding scalps. While numerous interpretations exist for these and other paint rock pictographs, the original meanings intended by the artists remain shrouded in mystery. The true significance of these symbols for those who created them may forever be open to scholarly debate and personal reflection.
The images presented here are watercolor copies of the paint rock art, painstakingly created by Forrest Kirkland during his documentation efforts. Kirkland himself recognized the importance of his work, stating, “Here was a veritable gallery of primitive art at the mercy of the elements and handful of destructive people.” His extensive collection of watercolors, including hundreds documenting rock art across western Texas, has served as a crucial record, preserving native paintings that might otherwise have been completely lost to time and the elements.
To delve deeper into Kirkland’s life and his invaluable renderings of Lower Pecos rock art, explore the Artistic Expressions exhibit. Further examples of Kirkland’s work are featured in “The Rock Art of Texas Indians,” a seminal 1967 publication by University of Texas at Austin anthropologist W. W. Newcomb, published by the University of Texas Press. Additional photographs showcasing the broader spectrum of rock art created by native peoples can be found in the Lower Pecos exhibit. These resources offer valuable avenues for continued exploration of this fascinating aspect of Texas and Native American history.
