Ancient Canadian pictographs in peril
Submitted by coldrum on Friday, 16 March 2007 Page Views: 915
Pre-ContactAncient aboriginal paintings that have graced the Canadian Shield escarpment in northern Saskatchewan for hundreds of years are being threatened by erosion and vandalism.Images are made with red ochre from naturally tinted clay, which is pounded into a powder and mixed with fish oil for a long-lasting paste. But age is taking its toll.
"We need to raise awareness about them because these are archeological treasures that few of us actually know about," said Talina Cyr-Steenkamp, executive director of the Saskatchewan Archaeological Society. "There's not much you can do to prevent it (erosion) so let's try and understand as much as we can about them before they're gone."
The vandalism is a lesser problem but it does happen. The drawings are located on rock faces along the waterways of the boreal forest, and some people have added their own touches to the ancient art, said Cyr-Steenkamp.
There are hundreds of the drawings, called pictographs, in more than 70 locations across Saskatchewan's north. They were painted by ancestors of the Western Woods Cree that now reside in the area, according to Cyr-Steenkamp.
The Saskatchewan Archaeological Society has created an exhibit of photographs and pictograph reproductions on stone tablets: Kiwetinohk: The Rock Paintings of Northern Saskatchewan, was displayed at St. Goretti Community School last week and will be exhibited widely, provided funding can be secured, said Cyr-Steenkamp.
The archaeological society hopes increased understanding of the images will encourage people to practice respectful tourism and conserve "this significant part of Saskatchewan history."
Fore more, see Saskatoon Star Phoenix.
Note: Rock Art of this type may be found at several locations in the Canadian Shield, including those at Lac La Ronge Park.
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