The whole planet teems with indigenous petroglyphs, prehistoric rock carvings that are found on every inhabited continent. Ancient pictographs, or paintings on rock, also exist worldwide, although they are less likely to have survived.

Join art historian Brenda Edgar for a tour of the enigmatic rock art of our own continent, including the desert Southwest, where the climate has helped many of these ancient images to endure. Their iconography runs the gamut from animal and human subjects to celestial bodies and abstract forms. 

In this richly illustrated talk, you’ll attempt to discover what these mysterious pictures might mean, who made them, and why they were made. What ties examples from disparate places together, and what makes each site distinctive? What do they teach us about our nature and history as a species? This program is intended for adults.

Join us for our “Art History Illustrated” talk series, held the third Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m. This monthly illustrated talk series is presented by art historian Brenda Edgar, in collaboration with The Floyd County Carnegie Library Cultural Arts Center.