In my last post I related of conversations with local Artist and Folklorist that suggested that these stones bearing engravings were valued as trade objects. That each stone had a value , and to some degree that the quality of the art work was an important factor in determining its worth. Note of course that the particular stones value was not fixed as it is in modern money systems, quiet often it did depend on what hand held the stone.

Another point and the subject of this post, is that each stone bore a unique original design. While many are somewhat similar, no two are exactly alike. This is an important point, that the design was by all means a product of the surface of the particular rock. Lets say that the stones shape was a factor that the craftsman had to take advantage of or likewise overcome.

Now, doesn't the preceding paragraph seem to define problems that are more sculptural than graphic? This is true especially when we take into consideration that most of our modern art printing methods by definition require a flat surface as a starting point. So here we see that another dimension has been added, there are hills, valleys,and other imperfections to take into consideration and deal with . Finally, we see that these factors to a great extent, dictate how the final art work will appear.

In future post we will explore the possible reality that art in the 19^th and 20^th centuries was in great part defined by the graphic works of indigenous American craftsmen, that the somewhat strange and stunningly beautiful faces of a master like Pablo Picasso , may have been inspired by the works of unknown stone age craftsmen endeavoring to place an exquisite face on the irregular surface of small but very significant stones.