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A Multivariate Study of Rock Art Anthropomorphs at Writing-on-Stone, Southern Alberta

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Martin P. R. Magne  and
Michael A. Klassen
Martin P. R. Magne
Affiliation:
Archaeological Survey of Alberta, Provincial Museum of Alberta, 12845 - 102 Ave., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5N 0M6
Michael A. Klassen
Affiliation:
Archaeological Survey of Alberta, Provincial Museum of Alberta, 12845 - 102 Ave., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5N 0M6
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Abstract

The rock art of Writing-On-Stone has been the focus of detailed interpretation relying on concepts of group migration. Indeed, results of previous research at Writing-On-Stone have been pivotal in reconstructions of northwestern Plains group distributions. It is apparent that many anthropomorphic petroglyphs and pictographs contain elements and co-associations that allow chronological ordering from prehistoric through protohistoric and historic times. Cluster analyses described in this paper offer a more objective means of assessing changes in anthropomorph depictions through time, leading to a critical evaluation of prior concepts concerning stylistic changes and Native group distributions. In particular, the analyses demonstrate that rock-art anthropomorphs at Writing-On-Stone are more strongly interrelated than previously thought. We believe there is no need to invoke a Shoshonean presence in this area to account for differences in late prehistoric and historical-period rock-art anthropomorph styles.

Résumé

Résumé

El arte rupestre de Writing-On-Stone ha sido el centro de una detallada interpretación basada en conceptos de migración de grupos. Sin duda, los resultados de anteriores investigaciones en Writing-On-Stone han sido fundamentales para las reconstrucciones de las distribuciones de grupos en los llanos del noroeste de Norteamérica. Es evidente que muchos petroglifos y pictografias antropomorfos poseen elementos y asociaciones comunes que permiten un ordenamiento cronológico que va desde los tiempos prehistóricos a los históricos, pasando por los protohistóricos. Los análisis de agrupamiento que se describen en elpresente artículo ofrecen un medio más objetivo para evaluar los cambios de las representaciones antropomorfos a través del tiempo, lo que conduce a una reconsideración crítica de conceptos previos relacionados con los cambios estilísticos y las distribuciones de grupos aborígenes. En especial, los análisis demuestran que las figuras antropomorfos del arte rupestre de Writing-On-Stone están más intimamente relacionados entre sí de los que se había pensado. Creemos que no es necesario invocar la presencia de los indios Shosone en esta región para dar cuenta de las diferencias de los estilos antropomorfos del arte rupestre prehistórico.

Type
Articles
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 56 , Issue 3 , July 1991 , pp. 389 - 418
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1991

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