From spiritual and biographic to boundary-marking deterrent art: A reinterpretation of writing-on-stone

Journal/Book: Plains Anthropol. 1999; 44: 410 Wedgewood Drive, Lincoln, NE 68510, USA. Plains Anthropological Soc. 27-46.

Abstract: Writing-On-Stone art has long been interpreted as having been created only for spiritual reasons. While not denying that spiritualism was important at Writing-On-Stone, an examination of the social, political, and geographic contexts of its historic rock art leads to the theory that Writing-On-Stone was also a Blackfoot boundary-marker and a warning to their enemies not to cross it. Writing-On-Stone was located between the Blackfoot and numerous hostile nations to the south, in an area through which many different groups passed on military and hunting raids into Blackfoot territory. Because Natives used narrative art to boast of prowess and skill and to elevate their status, the heavy presence of this art at Writing-On-Stone in historic times is interpreted as a deliberate message to various enemy groups that the Blackfoot were a force best left improvoked.

Note: Article Bouchet-Bert L, Univ Calgary, Dept Archaeol, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CANADA

Keyword(s): Writing-On-Stone; rock art; boundary marking; intimidation tactics; Blackfoot; PERSPECTIVE

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