Rock Art New Mexico

 
  Rock Art Recording Guide

 This is intended to be a simple guide to suggest how the recording forms may
 be used. Please feel free to make modifications to meet specific geographical
 needs.

1.      Photo Data Sheet
a. Photo Data Sheet Single Panel Form
b. Photo Data Sheet Two Panel form
c. Design Element (image) Condensed Inventory Key
d. Design Element (image) Inventory Key (illustrated) 

2.      Mapper’s Notes for GPS Recording

3.      Photography Guide Lines

Photo Data Sheet

Definitions

1.      Panel is a collection of elements that are recorded as a group.

2.      Locus is a single panel

3.      Boulder is a single rock that can have multiple panels, or sides.

4.      An element is a single pictorial unit in the judgment of the recording team.
 Use Category 11 for multiple element compositions.

5.      Prehistoric is the period of time before 1540.

6.      Historic period is between 1539 and 1955 (50 years before the present).

7.      Recent period is between today and 50 years ago.

General Comments

1.      Place the Photo Data sheets in sequential order by the Photo Number.

2.      If it necessary to switch from the Single Panel to the Double Panel Photo
Data Sheet put a line through the unused section.

3.      Before going to the next panel verify that the Photo Data Sheet and
Mapper’s Notes are in agreement (Photo Number, Locus)

4.      Avoid agonizing over categories. It is the clearly identifiable elements
 that are of the most interest. Put doubtful elements in the Category 12, miscellaneous (Assumed Prehistoric) Elements.

5.   Use the z subcategory in the numbered Category to add an unlisted
repeated element. Provide a definition on the Photo Data Sheet.

6.    Use Category 13 (Historic) for elements that are European in origin,
horses, trains, guns, etc

7.   Use Category 14 (Recent Graffiti and Human-Caused Damage
(not directly impacting Rock Art) unless there is reason to believe the
element is more that 50 years old.

8.   Count each element once.

Forms

Date                            The date in the form of MM/DD/YYYY that the work is
being done. This is also the date on the Mug Board.

LA No.                        The LA Number is site number assigned by
Archaeological Records Management System (ARMS).

NMCRIS                     The New Mexico Cultural Resources Inventory System
(NMCRIS) number assigned by ARMS

Prov. No.                    Provenience Number. This should agree with the
Mug Board.

Recorder                    Enter the Key Code and Name of the Recorder.
On subsequent pages the Key Code is all that is needed.

Photo:                         Enter the Key Code and Name of the Photographer. On subsequent pages the Key Code is all that is needed.

Map/GPS                   Enter the Key Code and Name of the Mapper/GPS. On
subsequent pages the Key Code is all that is needed.

Sheet                          The current sheet number. The sheets are numbered
sequentially for each provenience. When finished the
final sheet number will be add to all the sheets

Photo No.                   The number assigned to this photo. This is the same
number that is on the Mug Board. All photos are assigned numbers starting with 1 and continuing in sequence until the provenience is completed.

Locus                          A sequential identifier assigned to the panel or boulder being recorded.  The locus identifiers are assigned letter identifiers starting with A. In the event that more than one area is to be photographed and recorded on the same panel or boulder they are assigned number sub identifiers, C1, C2, C3 for the three different areas for Locus C. If the end of the alphabet is reached then start the next series as AA, AB, … AZ, the next as BA, BB, BC, … BZ, and so on as needed.

Facing                        This is the general direction that the panel faces. It is easier and more accurate to face the panel squarely and read the back sight at the bottom of the compass. N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW, and UP are the expected values. UP is used only when the panel is more flat than vertical.

Easting                       The easting UTM coordinate from the GPS

Northing                      The northing UTM coordinate from the GPS

H                                 Height of the panel in 1/100 meter. Measured to match the sketch and photo.

W                                Width of the panel in 1/100 meter. Measured to match the sketch and photo

AGL                            Above Ground Level measurement. Measured in 1/100 meter from the place the photographer’s and Recorder’s feet were to the bottom of the panel.

Position                      Position in the provenience. This helps to relocate the panel.

                                    H = the highest area,

M= the middle area,

L=the lowest area

Last Locus                 The distance in Meters and direction (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW) from the last locus

(Element Inventory)   On the lines below the “Distance from the Last Locus” identify each individual element in the sketch using the terms in the Design Element Inventory sheets.

Repatination              This is a subjective indication of the relative age of the element based upon the level repatination or reformation of the patina.

                                    O =  None, looks like a fresh break in the rock

                                    L  =  Light,

                                    M  = Medium

                                    H  =  Heavy

                                    T  =  Total, looks dark like the natural rock surface

Pecking                      This is a measure of the effort made to produce the element

                                    S  =  Sparse, pecks are widely separated

                                    M =  Medium, pecking is between SPARCE and DENSE

                                    D  =  Dense, pecks have no space between them

                                    R  =  Relief, pecks are deep such that a piece of paper folds in when pushed into the pecked area.

Abraded                     Use a check (ü) if element was created by rubbing to form a smooth surface

Scratched                  Use a check (ü) if element was created by using a sharp object such as a chert or quarts flake.

Category                    This is the category code from the Design Element Sheet.

Multiple                       The numbers of elements that would be classified the same as this one.

Additional                   These are items from Category S, Special Features such as rock incorporation, superimposition, etc.
 

Sketch                        This area of the form is for a sketch of the panel from the same angle as the photo was taken. The sketch shows all the elements, notes spalls or other deterioration, and superimposition.
NOTE: For large or complex panels use the Single Panel Photo Data Sheet.

Notes                          The recorder should describe any unusual natural or manmade features of the panel. The notes should also be used to provide additional information that the Recorder feels is necessary.

 

Photography Guide Lines

General Comments

1.      The Recorder and Photographer need to concur on the best position to
record the panel. They need to take the lighting and ability to view the
whole panel into consideration.

2.      Each panel will be photographed with black and White film and using
a digital camera. The 35mm Black and White image and negative is the  image of record submitted with the report to ARMS.

3.      The Mug Board MUST be fully visible in the photos.

Tips for good Rock Art photos

1.      Keep the camera film plane/digital sensor parallel to the panel as best
you can.

2.      Have uniform lighting on the panel to get the best exposure. This can
be achieved with full sun or shade. Partial sun and mottled lighting will
often result in a poor light meter reading and poor exposure.

3.      Position the Mug Board so that it doesn’t reflect into the camera.

4.      A polarizing filter will often reduce the glare off the rock surface.

5.      The aperture is the key control element as it can provides the greatest depth
of field. The aperture should be one or two stops below the maximum aperture for the best picture. ( preferably f.11) The shutter speed should be the reciprocal of the lens length to get minimize shake.