Painted Cave Teacher Field Reports
DBruns@Grandview: . . . . Wed, Aug 15, 12:27AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Field Report - Painted Cave, August 14, 2001. We proceeded as directed to painted Cave in Santa Barbara. Highway 154 winds up the mountain through chaparral-covered foothills, affording a beautiful viewof Santa Barbara and the ocean beyond. We turned onto Painted Cave Road, which was narrow, windy, and steep, meeting Ranger Wes Chapin at the site. After a short introduction about the Chumash Indians and several theories as to the meaning of the petroglyphs, our group walked up a narrow trail to the site. The opening to the cave is open to the elements, but protected to public access by steel grates. ………… GPS position is Lat 34.44114, Long –119.71517, elevation 298’. The rocks paintings are primarily red, black, and white symbols, the meanings of which have been lost to history. Two long, narrow shapes resemble hawk feathers, others look like spider webs, circles, dots and wavy lines. One large symbol looks like a large gear with radiating axis of lines and edged by a serrated border which looks like a circle saw. button …….. Ranger Chapin pointed out that one picture of a black circle ringed in white, with two smaller circles positioned below it may be a depiction of the night sky in 1686, when a total eclipse occurred. The two smaller circles may be planets visible during the eclipse. Astromomical records indicate that such an eclipse occurred prior to European contact. After leaving the cave our group proceeded to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History…
Wendy Morrison, Charles Mack Elementary: . . . . Wed, Aug 8, 11:15AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Field Report…………… Wendy Morrison…………. Painted Cave……………… On Tuesday, August 7, 2001, I went to the Painted Caves of the Chumash Indians. It is located off of highway 154, on Painted Cave Road, Santa Barbara, CA. buttonbutton Ranger W. C. Chapin was very helpful at answering all of our questions about the caves. button The paintings were created by Chumash Indians. Paint pigments came from minerals, hematite, or red orchre (red) diatomaceous earth (white), and manganses or charcoal. They were probably mixed with binder such as animal fat and applied to the rock with brushes made from animal tails. Chalk-like lines made with dry lumps pigment can also be seen. It is difficult to determine the age of Chumash rock art. At Painted Cave, the complex designs were painted at different times, after superimposed over those done previously. On the west wall, the black circle outlined in white may depict a total eclipse of the sun which occurred on Nov. 24, 1967. Other elements seem to have been made both earlier and later. The meaning that rock art held for its creators has not survived the passage of centuries. Shamans, or Chumash priest, may have made these paintings to influence supernatural being and forces to intervene in human affairs. The symbols may represent mythic figures, natural phenomena, and abstract concepts. These paintings remain as priceless artifact of California cultural heritage. button
Cressa, Miramonte: . . . . Wed, Aug 8, 11:16AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Chumash Painted Cave………….. buttonUpon walking up to the Painted Cave I noted the brilliance of the crimson color on the cave walls. My first expression to the Ranger was, “Wow!” He said to me, “ I will let the cave speak for itself for now.” The images were a cluster of circles, stars and black and white patterns. The collage of images and patterns seemed to swirl about in a mysterious way. I tried to imagine what the Chumash were thinking when they painted these images. The paintings were full of abstraction but at the same time resembled something common. I found the painting unique in the realms of cave paintings. The ones that I had seen from other areas resembled spears, hunters and animals. These, on the other hand seemed to be many things but nothing at the same time. One image that the ranger described looked as if it could be a moon eclipsing with two other planet looking up at it. Another looked like a person stretching his arms up to the sun. The ranger explained that the painting were could have been made of charcoal, iron oxide and ground up seashells. A fixative of wild cucumber juices may have also been added and in some area the fixative may have been blood. The cave left me in wonder.The drive down from the cave was amazing. I could see all the way out to the islands.
vmacy/mecca school: . . . . Wed, Aug 8, 11:16AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Painted Cave field Trip In the hills above the Santa Barbara coastline lie the huge rocks that created recessed spaces for the Ancient Chum ash Indians and their rock paintings. As you travel the twisting and turning single lane road off of Hwy 154, a panoramic view of the Channel islands stuns the viewer with mountain tops that sit upon the Pacific Ocean like floating whales. Upon arrival at the square mile State Historical Park, the smell of oak trees surrounds the visitor with a sense of the past. After a short climb up to the cave, iron straps at the entrance of the cave stop you abruptly. It was discovered that the National Parks Service put the straps in place in the early 1900’s.
Carolyn Montoya: . . . . Wed, Aug 8, 11:16AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Painted Cave c c c c. Carolyn Montoya c c.. On Tuesday, August 7, 2001, I visited the Painted Cave of the Chumash in the hills of Santa Barbara, CA button The elevation of the area was measured by a Garmin GPS. The elevation of the area is 2453 feet above sea level.
cmacy/mecca: . . . . Wed, Aug 8, 11:16AM PST (-0800 GMT)
On Tuesday, August 8, 2001 , our group traveled up the hills behind Santa Barbara, Ca. Our field destination was Painted Cave, elevation 2453. Painted Cave is a rock art painting site of the ancient Native American tribe , the Chumash. The cave paintings are viewed through a metal grid. This metal grid has been placed by the National Park Service to restrict direct access to the cave and ancient paintings. button
Jim Jones: . . . . Wed, Aug 8, 11:17AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Painted Cave...... The trip to the Painted Cave on 8/7 was very interesting. We met the ranger, Wes, at the foot of the trail. He led us up the trail to the cave, which is protected by strong metal bars put up in the early 20th century. button
Carolyn Montoya: . . . . Wed, Aug 8, 11:18AM PST (-0800 GMT)
This cave painting site is extremely exciting and complex! The cave was painted years ago, by the Chumash priests called the Shaman. Actual carbon dating has not been done so we do not have actual timeline of the art. The paint is believed to be a mixture of materials indigenous to the area. The paint was probably composed of hematite (red ochre), manganese (charcoal black), and limestone or shells (white). The paintings were all done in these three colors. The paint may have been mixed with animal fat enabling the painter to easily brush the colors onto the wall.
cmacy/mecca: . . . . Wed, Aug 8, 11:19AM PST (-0800 GMT)
It is unknown as to the symbolic meaning of these paintings. The Chumash have no historical written language and all interpetation of the painted symbols is speculative. Only three colors were used inside the cave. These colors were created from local minerals that were gathered by the Chumash . Hermatitie(red ochre), Maganese(charcoal black), and Gypsum(white) were used to create the dye for the paint. This mineral dye was then added to animal fat or blood to create a consistency which allowed for application.
Dirk, Winn: . . . . Wed, Aug 8, 11:19AM PST (-0800 GMT)
The Painted Cave: …………………button I learned that the paintings were most likely done by Chumash Shamans for religious rituals invoking the intervention of the deities. We are not sure what the pictures represent, or exactly when they were done as the Chumash left no written history and traditionally a large portion of the paintings was needed for radiocarbon dating. The Parks Service has not defaced sections of the paintings for dating out of respect for the contemporary Chumash who still consider this cave a sacred religious place. button
vmacy/mecca school: . . . . Wed, Aug 8, 11:20AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Peering through the diamond shapes holes, a limited view of tri-colored images covers the walls and ceiling. The geometric shapes tell an unknown story that was carried away with the canyon winds and rains a thousand moons ago. It is believed that the Chum ash Elders and Priests came to the caves to create or communicate with supernatural powers to intervene in human affairs. The images were painted with yucca brushes, using animal fat missed with colored earth, such as manganese or diatomaceous earth. The site is one of several in the area and has been studied extensively. For further exploration of this fascinating subject, visit the following web sites. button
cmacy/mecca: . . . . Wed, Aug 8, 11:22AM PST (-0800 GMT)
………..It is believed that Painted Canyon was used by Shamans( priests).These Shamans sought to influence supernatural beings to incede on human behalf. Shamans painted symbols on the cave walls hoping to relay meanings obtained during induced trance.
Carolyn Montoya: . . . . Wed, Aug 8, 11:24AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Painted Cave c c c c. Carolyn Montoya c c.. On Tuesday, August 7, 2001, I visited the Painted Cave of the Chumash in the hills of Santa Barbara, CA button The elevation of the area was measured by a Garmin GPS. The elevation of the area is 2453 feet above sea level. This cave painting site is extremely exciting and complex! The cave was painted years ago, by the Chumash priests called the Shaman. Actual carbon dating has not been done so we do not have actual timeline of the art. The paint is believed to be a mixture of materials indigenous to the area. The paint was probably composed of hematite (red ochre), manganese (charcoal black), and limestone or shells (white). The paintings were all done in these three colors. The paint may have been mixed with animal fat enabling the painter to easily brush the colors onto the wall. The designs themselves were probably influenced by natural phenomena, mythical figures, or could possibly represent abstract art form. The circular pattern seems to be the most common pattern seen in the cave. Other figures look like people and animals possible from the area. The most intriguing image was of the black circle outlined or edged in white with 2 other circular objects below it creating a triangular effect. Scientists have stated that on November 24, 1677, there was a total eclipse with the sun, a planet, and a star. This could have influenced the Shaman to create this image onto the cave wall. This cave is currently being protected by the National Parks. It is a wonderful artifact from the ancient Chumash Indian Tribe that can give us more clues into their past.
Linda Walker of PalmView School: . . . . Wed, Aug 8, 11:27AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Field Report by L. Walker, August 7, 2001 ...... PAINTED CAVE ………………… I could not take a GPS reading at Painted Cave because there were too many trees. ………………… The Chumash Indians used iron oxide, ground gypsum, and ground up shells for pigment to paint their bright pictures. Blood was used as an organic fixative. The Chumash probably painted the images in the cave. The pictures look like the sun and the celestial system. The Shaman, medicine man, usually worked in the cave with patients. The paintings probably took place during a drug induced stupor. ……………. The cave paintings are the finest rock art on sand stone. …………… SANTA BARBARA HISTORY MUSEUM …………… The Chumash used beads for money. They traded with other tribes around them. The Chumash did not have ceramic pottery. They were weavers of baskets. The Chumash used plants for clothes, baskets, and as containers to mix food. ……………. The Chumash developed a wood plank canoe which held up to 10 people. They used it for fishing and traveling to other villages. …………… The Chumash had developed a way of life which worked well for them. Trading with other tribes maintained their economy. Fishing was a main source of food for them. Their lifestyle was a simpler form of our lifestyle today. They had money, a form of transportation, and a form of tribal government. button This is the link for the Painted Cave. button This is the link for the Santa Barbara Nature Museum. …… Here is a picture of painted cave
: . . . . Wed, Aug 8, 11:27AM PST (-0800 GMT)
………………..One of the symbols on the walls is a black circle with 2 smaller circles located beneath the larger black circle. One hypothesis for meaning is a total eclipse which occurred in 1677. The Chumash were astronomers and may have depicted this spectacular event in Painted Cave.
dirk: . . . . Wed, Aug 8, 11:32AM PST (-0800 GMT)
The Chumash used mineral extracts to form the paints that they used. Iron ore was used to create the red paint, charcoal was most likely used for black paint, and either diatomaceous earth, gypsum, or ground sea shells. Some type of organic material was used as a fixative for the paints. Scientists suspect that animal fat or blood from different animals, including humans, was used for this purpose. This would allow for radiocarbon dating at some future point. These caves were not protected from vandalism until the early 20th century. There are several marks of recent civilization interacting with these ruins in the form of graffiti, carvings, and litter inside of the gate that protects the cave.
Wendy Morrison/Charles Mack Elementary: . . . . Wed, Aug 8, 3:27PM PST (-0800 GMT)
Field Report…………… Wendy Morrison…………. Painted Cave……………… On Tuesday, August 7, 2001, I went to the Painted Caves of the Chumash Indians. It is located off of highway 154, on Painted Cave Road, Santa Barbara, CA. buttonRanger W. C. Chapin was very helpful at answering all of our questions about the caves. The paintings were created by Chumash Indians. Paint pigments came from minerals, hematite, or red orchre (red) diatomaceous earth (white), and manganses or charcoal. They were probably mixed with binder such as animal fat and applied to the rock with brushes made from animal tails. Chalk-like lines made with dry lumps pigment can also be seen. It is difficult to determine the age of Chumash rock art. At Painted Cave, the complex designs were painted at different times, after superimposed over those done previously. On the west wall, the black circle outlined in white may depict a total eclipse of the sun which occurred on Nov. 24, 1967. Other elements seem to have been made both earlier and later. The meaning that rock art held for its creators has not survived the passage of centuries. Shamans, or Chumash priest, may have made these paintings to influence supernatural being and forces to intervene in human affairs. The symbols may represent mythic figures, natural phenomena, and abstract concepts. These paintings remain as priceless artifact of California cultural heritage.
Jim Jones: . . . . Wed, Aug 8, 3:39PM PST (-0800 GMT)
The Painted Cave…….. The trip to the Painted Cave on 8/7 was very interesting. We met the ranger, Wes, at the foot of the trail. He led us up the trail to the cave, which is protected by strong metal bars put up in the early 20th century. Although it was poorly lit inside the cave we could see the drawings pretty clearly. Wes said it was because the Chumash who made the drawings used some kind of fixative, possibly blood (not known whether it was human or animal blood). The drawings were brightly colored in spite of their age.
. . . . Wed, Aug 15, 12:15AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Susan’s Field Report To The Painted the Painted Cave we were greeted by the park ranger. He first of all warned us about the poison oak identified by large leaves. A short walk from the road is the state historic park that is the Painted Cave established in the 1930s. The Painted Cave contains the rock art of the Chumash Indians from about 200 years ago. The cave is next to a streambed up an old trail, steep and winding from the coastline. ……………………………………………………………………….. The rock art is an example of the Indians impressions of their world. No one knows the exact meaning of the art. There is no record of this ritual and no way to know what the symbols mean. Theories range from a winter soltice ceremony to power structures among tribal members. No matter what we were able to glimpse back to view a way the Chumash Indians lived and celebrated life. button