Animals
INTRODUCTION
Many different animals are represented in the WB collection. Although mammals predominate, there are birds, reptiles and what appear to be two species of fish.
The animals included in the collection possibly represent those of some significance to this culture. Certain mammals, birds and fish played a specific role in their effort to survive. Comparing their relative recurrence in the collection may suggest the ones they depended on the most.
Living in ancient times, looking much like they do today, the Bison and the Bear were the first Subjects to be identified. Being familiar with them, they were easy to recognize and accept.
Animals are found on almost all of the stones in the collection. Either as a single subject or combined with other animals and/or Shaman.
Most of the single subject "Animal Stones" are detailed and easy to recognize. The discovery of these simple examples allowed other more complex Subjects to be discovered. For example, those found on "Multi Subject Headdresses and Altar Stones". Those two Subjects offer a library of symbols.
The Bear, in all its forms, is the highest recurring animal in the collection. Next would be the Bison or Mammoth.
There are many different species of Animals that could not be included in this format. Some of which can be found in the Photo Gallery.
Examples discussed are
020, 038, 043, 059, 070, 089, 111, 187, 297
Click on a photo to access a larger version with a short description.
020 Bison on Dead Bison
020 is composed of high silica igneous rock. It's color is brown with black streaking. It is approximately 6" x 6" x 3". 020 is the unique example of a "Bison Standing on a Dead Bison".
Looking at the Front view, although worn, notice, outlined in red, a "Standing Bison". Notice, outlined in green, lying on it's side, a "Dead Bison". His facial expression, in addition to being on his side with a Bison standing on him, suggests that the he is dead.
There are recurring examples of "Bear or Large Cat on Dead Bison". The positioning of the two animals is similar in each case.
Looking at the Back view, notice, outlined in green, a "Pterasaur". Also, outlined in red, a Bison. Both are in positions typical of other examples of "Pterasaur on Bison" and "Bear on Bison".
Included are the Right and Left views.
038 Striking Viper
038 is composed of granular high silica igneous rock. It is grey in color. It is approximately 2" x 10" x 6". 038 is an example of the recurring "Striking Viper".
Looking at Detail 2, notice, outlined in blue, a "Striking Viper".
Included are the Top, Front, Back and Bottom views.
043 Growling Bear
043 is composed of granular high silica igneous rock. It is grey in color. It is approximately 7" x 6" x 4". 043 is an example of a "Growling Bear".
Looking at the Front view, notice, outlined in green, a "Growling Bear".
Some of the best examples are composed of the same granular material. Because it is softer, it would seem this type composition allowed them to more easily and precisely remove the unwanted material. And more easily wear away.
Most of the fine details have worn away. However, many of the deeper ones are still visible.
Included are the Back, Right and Left views.
059 Howling Bear
059 is composed of high silica igneous rock conglomerate. The matrix is a combination of red and yellow. The fragments are black. It is approximately
7" x 4" x 4". 059 is an example of the recurring "Howling Bear".
Looking at the Front view, although worn, notice, outlined in blue, a "Howling Bear". It is called a "Howling Bear" because his mouth is wide open.
Not sure if it's a Bear. It resembles the recurring subject "Baby Bison". And squirrels are almost always shown with their mouth open.
Looking at the Back view, although worn, notice, outlined in blue, what appears to be a Mammoth. Notice the Bear or Cat, outlined in green. Both in positions typical of other "Bear or Cat on Woolly Mammoth.
Included are the Right and Left views.
070 Wolf
070 is composed of high silica igneous rock. It's color is brown to tan and white. It is approximately 3" x 5" x 1". 070 is an example of a "Wolf".
Looking at the front view, notice the "Wolf", outlined in green.
Looking at the Back view, notice, outlined in red, a "Winged Bison" flying in front of the recurring "Monolith".
Included are the Right,Top and Bottom views.
089 Ram Bighorn Sheep
089 is composed of high silica igneous rock. It's color is varied shades of red to yellow. It is approximately 4" x 3" x 2".
089 is an example of the recurring "Ram Bighorn Sheep". Notice how the stone was apparently worked, chipped away, to obtain the shape of the Ram. Also, the eye and nose details and the horn. 089 is a good example of, through the course of time, how the edges have worn smooth and how it's developed a soft patina across the surface.
Looking at the Front view, notice, outlined in yellow, the recurring, "Ram Bighorn Sheep".
Looking at the Bottom view, notice, outlined in red, a Bison. Also, outlined in blue, a Bear. Both are in positions typical of other "Bear on Bison".
Note how the Bison is Howling, similar to 177 and others.
Included are the Right, Left and Top views.
111 Cat
111 is composed of high silica igneous rock conglomerate. The matrix is brown to tan. The fragments are violet in color. It is approximately 7" x 7" x 3". 070 is a unique example of a "Mayan Type Cat". There are similarities to examples of "Mayan Jaguars".
Other examples that resemble Mayan art include 021.
Looking at the Front view, notice, outlined in green, a "Mayan Type Cat". Note that it's eye, mouth and ear are open.
Looking at the Back view, notice , outlined in green, the same "Mayan Type Cat". Except that it's eye, mouth and ear are closed.
The "open on one side, closed on the other" is a recurring detail. But, no more obvious than on this example.
Included are the Left, Top and Bottom views.
187 Bighorn Sheep
187 is composed of high silica igneous rock. It is grey in color. It is approximately 4" x 2" x 2". 187 is an example of a "Bighorn Sheep".
Looking at the Front view, notice, outlined in green, lying on the ground, a "Bighorn Sheep".
Looking at the Back view, outlined in green, notice the same "Bighorn Sheep".
Included are Details 2 and 3. Also, the Right, Top and Bottom views.
297 Flying Bear
297 is composed of high silica igneous rock. It is red to yellow in color. It is approximately 3" x 7" x 4". 297 is an example of a "Winged Bear".
Looking at the front view, notice outlined in red, a "Winged Bear". Note the detail of the Bear's head. The "Flying Bear" is recurring in the collection.
Looking at the Top view, notice, outlined in yellow, a "Mother Bear". Her three Cubs are outlined in pastel colors. All in positions typical of other "Mother Bear with Cubs"
Looking at the Back view, notice, outlined in blue, a Bear. Also, outlined in red a Bison. Both are in positions reasonably typical of other "Bear on Bison".
