Behind the Majestic Rock Art Most People Blindly Overlook
I discovered portable rock art in March of 2024. Since then, I've realized how some of the rocks work. I've also developed a way to organize them. The indigenous people made these rocks for many reasons: spiritually, shamanistic magic, games, education, and personal enhancement. Let's begin.
#1 - The images are usually faint. It's difficult to tell exactly what I'm looking apply a small, soft paint brush to the rock, much like you would see an archeologist brush their findings, to remove the dust. The effigies usually clear up a little. Using water along with the brush makes sure the dust in removed, but don't brush to much or the effigies may fade even more.
#2. In some cases, when I brush a small spot, I can see the effigy start to show in areas that I'm not brushing. Unless someone out there can explain this phenomenon, I can only think this is magical to some extent. Maybe one of the Shaman crafted the rock and this is some of the magic left in it. I don't know how this is possible, but it is awfully mechanical to watch the whole effigy appear. Let me know if you've noticed something like this.
#3. Quartz rocks are unique because often l can tell where an effigy is intended to be by looking for white silhouettes. Often I can touch White silhouettes of possible characters that illuminate the already milky white areas.
#4. I have to mention the faces within faces effect. By brushing over what you may pecieve as a person or animals face, toi many brush strokes will cause the effigy to change. At that time you may see another face that doe not match the body. Another example of faces within faces is that you may look at one area on a rock and see one effigy clearly. Stepping or looking away then coming back to see something completely different.
#5. Most of the rocks I come across have effigies that shine best at around 25% - 35% lighting. A good way to accomplish this is to wait until night then take your rocks outside. If it's a full moon that may be all the light you need. If there is not a full moon then turn on an outside light, stand in front of the rock casting your shadow on it. Then you're bound notice different effigies the rock holds, or you'll see the one you know are there more brilliantly.
#6. The star count explains how detailed and rare your rock is. I grade each rock that comes to be sold with three, four, or 5 stars. Three stars indicate three attributes present in the rock. Four means four attributes and five means five. See the list of attributes. The profile of the rock is sculpted as an animal, human figure, or cartoonish character.
- The profile of the rock is sculpted as an animal, human figure, or cartoonish character.
- Sculpted images or shapes.
- Etched petroglyphs in the rock surface.
- Faces within faces - meaning that when you spot one image, look elsewhere and then back. The image looks different and may be difficult to see again. Also, when a section of a drawing or painting is gently touched. The face may turn into another color or a different face altogether.
- Holes in the rock or depressed area count as well. Usually, there is a small figure or two crafted in the depression.