Situated within deep canyons in the central part of Baja California are one hundred or more rock shelters which contain rock paintings of such varied subjects as human figures, deer, mountain sheep, rabbits, birds, fish, and geometric figures. Remarkable for their size and elaboration, they are believed to have been made by the aboriginal inhabitants of the area prior to Spanish occupation. However, one scene and some artifacts indicate Spanish influence.
Although the painted caves of Baja California were known to the Spanish missionaries and to subsequent infrequent visitors, only one site was scientifically studied during the period prior to recent investigations. None other than Erle Stanley Gardner discovered the most spectacular of the paintings and financed another expedition into the area in 1962 to examine four sites. Clement W. Meighan, who participated in the expedition as an archaeologist, has written a slim volume analyzing the sites, the ethnographic and historic backgrounds, the artifacts found at the sites, the figures themselves, and the features and purpose of the paintings. Meighan concludes his study with the following observation: “The newly studied painted eaves are important because they show the existence of a relatively specialized hunting people over several hundred square miles of a little-known corner of the world.. . . The present study confirms and amplifies previous work by documenting the fact that there is not one large cave of specialized ceremonial nature but many large rock shelters in the same style and occurring throughout at least one hundred miles of mountain range” (pp. 75-76).
The charts, map, and illustrations found in the book are outstanding, and the material contained within is presented in an excellent fashion. Since rock art seldom provides internal evidence for the period of origin, the author was limited in his attempts to establish dates for the paintings and purpose and culture of the artists.
