Museums and the Conservation and Interpretation of Rock Art by Stephanie M. Mueller, B.A. A Thesis In MUSEUM SCIENCE Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Texas Tech University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS Approved Nicola Ladkin Chairperson of the Committee David Dean Brett Houk Peggy Gordon Miller Interim Dean of the Graduate School December, 2010 Copyright 2010, Stephanie Mueller Texas Tech University, Stephanie M. Mueller, December 2010 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Thanks go to my committee Chairperson and supervisor Nicky Ladkin who has been available as a support academically, intellectually, and professionally. Nicky served as an indispensable mentor and professor. I thank the members of my committee, David Dean and Dr. Brett A. Houk for their suggestions and guidance. Thanks also go to Dr. Grant Hall for his advice and encouragement. I extend thanks and gratitude to Elton and Kerza Prewitt for providing me with guidance and support emotionally, academically, and socially and for providing invaluable information without which this thesis would not have been possible. They have continued to encourage and foster my future career in rock art research with patient support. My gratitude goes to Dr. Carolyn E. Boyd and the entire SHUMLA staff for their support, encouragement, enthusiasm, and information without which I would not have considered writing a rock art themed museum science thesis. Thank you to Dr. Michaele Haynes, Curator of the Witte Museum, Tim Roberts of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and Randy Rosales of Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site for providing me with information on the Witte Museum and its collections and Seminole Canyon‘s rock art and archeology, respectively. Finally, I thank my parents Dr. Thomas and Donna Mueller for supporting me financially and emotionally. Without their love and encouragement I would not have obtained this degree. ii Texas Tech University, Stephanie M. Mueller, December 2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................... iii ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... v LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................ vii I INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 Definition of Rock Art .................................................................................................... 3 Issues Affecting the Conservation of Rock Art .............................................................. 4 The Role of Museums in the Conservation of Rock Art ................................................ 9 Lower Pecos Museum of Rock Art ............................................................................... 14 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 15 II METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................... 16 Primary Sources ............................................................................................................ 16 Secondary Sources ........................................................................................................ 19 Limitations of Methodology ......................................................................................... 20 Data Organization and Analysis ................................................................................... 22 III PREVIOUS RESEARCH ......................................................................................... 24 History of Rock Art Research in the Lower Pecos ....................................................... 24 Access and Landownership .......................................................................................... 31 In Situ Conservation ..................................................................................................... 36 Natural Agents of Deterioration ................................................................................... 42 Human Agents of Deterioration .................................................................................... 47 Recording Techniques .................................................................................................. 54 Museum Preservation and the History of Collecting .................................................... 60 Exhibits, Interpretation, and the Nature of Scholarly Investigation ............................. 64 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 82 IV FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION .............................................................................. 84 Access and Landownership .......................................................................................... 84 In Situ Conservation ..................................................................................................... 95 Natural Agents of Deterioration ................................................................................. 101 Human Agents of Deterioration .................................................................................. 111 Recording Techniques ................................................................................................ 121 Museum Preservation and the History of Collecting .................................................. 136 Exhibits, Interpretation, and the Nature of Scholarly Investigation ........................... 144 V CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUTURE RESEARCH .............................................................................................................. 172 iii Texas Tech University, Stephanie M. Mueller, December 2010 Summary of Findings .................................................................................................. 172 Addressing the Thesis Question ................................................................................. 174 Conclusions and Recommendations ........................................................................... 178 Suggestions for Future Research ................................................................................ 179 REFERENCE LIST ...................................................................................................... 181 APPENDIX .................................................................................................................... 191 iv Texas Tech University, Stephanie M. Mueller, December 2010 ABSTRACT Rock art is a valuable resource whose long term preservation is threatened by conservation and interpretation challenges. This thesis investigates these issues facing conservation and interpretation of rock art in the Lower Pecos River region of Texas and examines whether establishing a regional museum could assist in addressing them. Seven issues that affect conservation of rock art are identified: access and landownership; in situ conservation; natural agents of deterioration; human agents of deterioration; recording techniques; museum preservation and the history of collecting; and exhibits, interpretation, and the nature of scholarly investigation. Interpretation methods that can affect public perceptions of the value of rock art are also identified. Research suggests a museum could serve as an archive of information on rock art, be a center for training researchers, managers, rangers, and guides, and thus assist in conservation and interpretation of rock art. v Texas Tech University, Stephanie M. Mueller, December 2010 LIST OF FIGURES 1 Lower Pecos Sites Visited ......................................................................................... 21 2 Narrow stairs leading up to White Shaman Shelter (41VV124)................................ 85 3 Panther Cave (41VV83) rates a "1" on SHUMLA‘s difficulty rating system. .......... 86 4 Leaping Panther Shelter (41VV237) rates a "4". ....................................................... 87 5 National Park Service‘s webpage ―How to See Rock Art‖ ....................................... 94 6 Example of a managed rock art site, Fate Bell Shelter (41VV74). ............................ 97 7 Parida Cave (41VV187) managed by National Parks Service................................... 99 8 Several species of wasps at Panther Cave. ............................................................... 102 9 Example of spalling at Leaping Panther Shelter. ..................................................... 103 10 Seeps on the rock art panel at Mystic Shelter (41VV612)....................................... 104 11 Rattlesnake Shelter (41VV180) after September 2008 flood .................................. 105 12 Rock art panel in Leaping Panther Shelter coated with dust. .................................. 106 13 Faded rock art in Fate Bell Shelter. ......................................................................... 107 14 Vegetation on the rock art panel at Painted Shelter (41VV78). .............................. 107 15 Faded rock art in 41VV40 and spalled rock art in 41VV39. ................................... 109 16 Modern graffiti in Painted Shelter. .......................................................................... 111 17 A young, fresh pothole in Leaping Panther Shelter. ...............................................