For over 4,000 years, Indigenous communities in what is now the US-Mexico border region preserved a remarkably stable worldview through elaborate rock art. A recent study published in Science Advances confirms that the tradition, known as the Pecos River style, flourished from approximately 6,000 years ago until around 1,000–1,400 years ago. This means the artistic and spiritual practices persisted across roughly 175 generations—a duration almost unprecedented in archaeological records.
The Longevity of a Visual Tradition
The art itself is found primarily within the Lower Pecos Canyonlands, spanning parts of southwestern Texas and northern Mexico. What sets it apart is not just its age, but its consistency. Over millennia, the imagery and painting techniques followed strict, discernible patterns. Researchers were surprised to find that these rules endured for over 4,000 years without significant variation.
According to Carolyn Boyd, an anthropologist at Texas State University, the canyonlands functioned as an “ancient library,” with each mural representing a chapter in a continuous narrative. The paintings—often massive, spanning up to 100 feet long—depict complex scenes of animals, humans, and symbolic motifs. These visuals weren’t mere decoration; they conveyed myths, rituals, and a deep-rooted understanding of the universe.
Decoding the Cosmovision
The creators of these murals were nomadic hunter-gatherers whose precise identity remains unknown. However, their work suggests a highly sophisticated cosmology—a complete worldview encompassing creation stories, cyclical time, and advanced calendrical systems. Boyd describes them as “highly skilled problem solvers” with a robust iconographic system for communicating these beliefs.
The persistence of this cosmovision is especially striking given the technological changes that occurred over the same period. While stone tools and fiber crafts evolved, the fundamental artistic conventions remained intact. This suggests the underlying worldview was exceptionally important to the people who created the murals.
Connections to Mesoamerica and Modern Indigenous Cultures
Remarkably, elements of this ancient belief system resonate with later Mesoamerican civilizations, such as the Aztecs, and continue to be reflected in modern Indigenous communities like the Huichol of Mexico. The study suggests these rock paintings may be the oldest surviving visual record of a cosmology that would profoundly influence later cultures.
Today, Indigenous communities view the murals not as relics, but as living ancestral deities actively involved in creation and cosmic maintenance. This enduring reverence underscores the power of the images—and the worldview they represent—to transcend time.
The discovery highlights the profound depth of Indigenous knowledge systems and the remarkable continuity of cultural beliefs across millennia. The paintings serve as a powerful reminder that the stories and cosmologies of ancient peoples continue to shape the world today.
