ROCK ART PAPER - No. 2. PAGE 2. THE ROSARIO BIRDS

Maarten van Hoek December 2003
THE ROSARIO BIRDS:
POSSIBLE INDICATIONS OF EL NIÑO DISASTERS IN THE CHILEAN ATACAMA DESERT


First published in ALMOGAREN XXXII-XXXIII, 2001-2002, 303 - 328, Wien 2002; the Journal of INSTITUTUM CANARIUM, Wien, Austria. Text and graphics of this web version copyright by Maarten van Hoek, 2003.


THE ROSARIO BIRDS
The bird imagery at Rosario however, definitely does not comprise duck,
ostrich, partridge or flamingo. Based on the curved beak and the typical
splayed feathers, I would rather like to suggest that especially the bird engravings
on panels 2 and 3 at Rosario depict large birds of prey; their big
proportions strongly suggest the mighty Condor.

Although the actual petroglyphic zone at Rosario is rather small, the site
still features a wealth of petroglyphs. Predominating are quadrupeds and
anthropomorphs, but also non-iconic figures occur, such as (concentric) circles
and serpentine grooves (possibly depicting real snakes though). There are at
least three panels with positive depictions of birds (numbered 1, 2 and 3 in
Fig. 7). Panels 1 and 3 are part of the lower outcrop ridge, whereas panel 2 is
a large boulder, situated lower down the slope.

The first bird-panel is located near the east end of the petroglyphic zone. It
is a large vertical outcrop panel, facing NE, with a large collection of
petroglyphs, several being buried beneath scree material (Fig. 8). Most
conspicuous are the depictions of two large birds with outstretched wings,
easily visible from the track below. As the two bird-engravings are similarly
executed, it seems to be justifiable to assume that they have been executed by
the same hand. Both birds feature wings that have been heavily pocked out,
and as a result it looks as if some parts have been carved in intaglio (recessed
from the rock). From the wings, a series of short upwards pointing lines clearly
represent individual feathers. The downward pointing head is forked, whereas
the tail is triangular with individual tail-feathers visible, especially in the
smaller example (Fig. 9).

Panel 2 features a most interesting collection of petroglyphs (Fig. 10). The
imagery on its north facing surface comprises (amongst others) camelids, a
hunting scene, serpentines, a strange amphibian-anthropomorph and one
distinct engraving of a large bird in the same reversed position as the ones at
panel 1. This time, however, the bird-petroglyph (Fig. 11) solely comprises
bold lines, many of which clearly indicate the feathers of the wings and the
tail. The west-facing head is indicated by two curved lines, representing the
beak of the bird. Nearby is an anthropomorph with a head-dress and raised
arms and an erect penis. The human is in a position that seems to suggest a
relation to the bird. Possibly this human figure is engaged in worship, but this
interpretation may be regarded as an Eurocentrism, as we have no informed
knowledge of how the local indigenous people worshipped or prayed.

Panel 3 is inaccessible being located roughly four metres high upon the
vertical outcrop ridge but can easily be viewed from below because of the
large dimensions of the biggest bird. The north facing panel (Fig. 12) features
five petroglyphs: three smaller and unidentifiable birds (?) and one anthropomorphic figure holding a bow-shaped thing in its left hand (the right hand for the observer, assuming that the figure is facing the observer). This figure seems to be standing on a large bird, which, again, is carved in outline. This time, however, the individual feathers are pointing downwards from distinctly curved wings, as is the head, with its clearly indicated beak. Within its body or wings there are two other bird-like grooves. What is most important in view of this paper is that all the bird engravings have been executed upside-down.

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