08/31/2026
Happy Monday!
We’ve often seen in Pecos River Style rock art that human figures are depicted with large torsos, which may or may not feature elaborate patterns and can be portrayed in one or more colors. Today, we’ll explore the diverse body shapes found among these figures!
Here are some clear examples that help us distinguish the differences in each figure’s body shape. First, the most common body shape is a rectangular torso that is long in proportion to the arms and legs, sometimes with variations such as one crenelated side (photo 2). The second is an oval body, which can also appear expanded at the top and narrower toward the legs. The third variety is less common but really interesting: a square body that resembles a flat “petate”, which is a traditional handwoven fiber mat, or also looks like a poncho.
Bodies are mostly depicted in frontal view; however, there are also some examples shown in profile. Take a look at those, too, and see how their shapes differ! Which body shape do you find the most interesting?
