Rock Art - Deer Medicine Rocks, Montana 07
Panel of human figures. (Click on "All Sizes" to see details.)
The farthest figure on the right is a simple "V-neck" anthropomorph. The horizontal lines intersecting the figure's body form the outline of a lance blade that has been exaggerated in size to emphasize power or some other dynamic that is fundamental to the story this panel tells. The blade has entered the figure's body from the right edge. The panel at the bottom of this figure has spalled, and any other details that may have been depicted in the lower portion of the figure's body have been lost. What may be the tips of lances can be seen above the spalling and to the left of the figure's leg. Between this figure and the large shield bearing anthropomorph are two other faint v-neck anthropomorphs. The orientation of the feet on the figure closest to the shield bearing anthropomorph suggest a directional reference.
A long, vertical line bisects the shield bearing anthropomorph. Fringe is portrayed on the bottom half of the shield. What appears to be an animal can be seen in the right half of the shield. It is portrayed at a diagonal angle, which is sometimes seen in the portrayal of bears in other Plains Biographic style art. Bear power is also a frequent theme in Plains shield imagery. The angle of the figure suggests a "sitting bear."
On the left side of the shield a very faint circle can be seen at the bottom of the shield. (see note within photo) Faint vertical lines connected to, and above the circle would indicate the body and head of an upside-down anthropomorph. A similar depiction in shield imagery has been recorded in the Kiowa shield that belonged to Akopti, as depicted by the Kiowa artist Silverhorn. On that shield, two upside-down figures are depicted. (See my scan of this shield figure in my set, "Rock Art." )
www.flickr.com/photos/63339942@N00/536826682/in/set-1408932/
The Kiowa attribute the identity of these figures to the Taime associated with the Sun Dance, and it is possible they are also associated with the Crow tradition of the Spring Boy and Lodge Boy deities, who descended to the earth from the heavens. These Crow deities also are depicted on Crow shields, however not upside-down.
Below the shield figure is another lance blade, coming from the left. This blade is quite faint compared to the incisions of the shield bearing anthropomorph, and it appears the anthropomorph has been incised over the blade. It is possible that the two figures represent depictions created at different times.
A series of other anthropomorphs are incised to the left of the shield figure. Some contemporary dates and names and initials are also present.
Rock Art - Deer Medicine Rocks, Montana 07
Panel of human figures. (Click on "All Sizes" to see details.)
The farthest figure on the right is a simple "V-neck" anthropomorph. The horizontal lines intersecting the figure's body form the outline of a lance blade that has been exaggerated in size to emphasize power or some other dynamic that is fundamental to the story this panel tells. The blade has entered the figure's body from the right edge. The panel at the bottom of this figure has spalled, and any other details that may have been depicted in the lower portion of the figure's body have been lost. What may be the tips of lances can be seen above the spalling and to the left of the figure's leg. Between this figure and the large shield bearing anthropomorph are two other faint v-neck anthropomorphs. The orientation of the feet on the figure closest to the shield bearing anthropomorph suggest a directional reference.
A long, vertical line bisects the shield bearing anthropomorph. Fringe is portrayed on the bottom half of the shield. What appears to be an animal can be seen in the right half of the shield. It is portrayed at a diagonal angle, which is sometimes seen in the portrayal of bears in other Plains Biographic style art. Bear power is also a frequent theme in Plains shield imagery. The angle of the figure suggests a "sitting bear."
On the left side of the shield a very faint circle can be seen at the bottom of the shield. (see note within photo) Faint vertical lines connected to, and above the circle would indicate the body and head of an upside-down anthropomorph. A similar depiction in shield imagery has been recorded in the Kiowa shield that belonged to Akopti, as depicted by the Kiowa artist Silverhorn. On that shield, two upside-down figures are depicted. (See my scan of this shield figure in my set, "Rock Art." )
www.flickr.com/photos/63339942@N00/536826682/in/set-1408932/
The Kiowa attribute the identity of these figures to the Taime associated with the Sun Dance, and it is possible they are also associated with the Crow tradition of the Spring Boy and Lodge Boy deities, who descended to the earth from the heavens. These Crow deities also are depicted on Crow shields, however not upside-down.
Below the shield figure is another lance blade, coming from the left. This blade is quite faint compared to the incisions of the shield bearing anthropomorph, and it appears the anthropomorph has been incised over the blade. It is possible that the two figures represent depictions created at different times.
A series of other anthropomorphs are incised to the left of the shield figure. Some contemporary dates and names and initials are also present.