SNAP SHOT
A completed Petroglyph reveals a story of early mankind in North America.
The Petroglyph rests under a naturally formed cave remnant of the last Great Ice Age created by expanding and contracting ice movements.
The overhang above the cave is about twenty five feet up above the cave entrance and is believed to be by the Hopi Peoples dated 850 A.D.
Reading the petroglyph from left to right.
A Serpent - evil sprit has entered the canyon community, snakes where beheaded and eaten as protein and the skins dried for ceremonial applications and medicine.
A Kokopelli - plays a pan flue to keep the people in balance
J - although not a letter in a language, the inscription is the symbol of the Hopi People, a hooked semi loop.
The Frog - represents the authority and presence of the Tribal Medicine Man, anphibions and reptiles where used in the medicine of the ancient ones.
The Hand Prints - are a key to identification with the spirits in the cave, each set of hand prints made by a Chieftain, Medicine Man and a Tribe Elder of the deceased have access to the cave, it is a sacred place to present the dead.
Only the Medicine Man, Chieftain and Family Elder have access to the sacred cave interior.
The Puffs - are depictions of ghosts, spiritual but on earth as made by the winds and the clouds. Rain was the most important spirit for the Hopi.
Human Figure - the image depicts a human with the head extended well above the shoulders, the extended head is a body of the deceased, still on the earth but the spirit has left the body.
Canyon d’ Chelly
Navajo National Monument
Chinle, Arizona