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Finding Aids

Center of Southwest Studies Archival Collections

 

The Center’s archival collections provide invaluable insights into the history and culture of Fort Lewis College, as well as the broader Southwest region. Our collections encompass a wide variety of materials, including letters and correspondence, photographs, slides, negatives, financial and business records, maps, audiovisual media, posters, published books and periodicals, original research data, digital files, and more. These resources are non-circulating but accessible to the broader public.

To explore our archival collections, please follow the link below. Many of the Center’s archival holdings are also cataloged at the collection level in the Fort Lewis College Library Catalog.

 

Link to Archival Database

Photo of Breanna Nez in Archives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Archival Finding Aids

Finding aids are essential tools for exploring archival collections. They offer detailed information, including collection summaries, historical or biographical context, subject lists, and descriptions of the materials and their arrangement. Most finding aids also include a container list to help locate specific items within a collection. To learn more about using finding aids, please consult our Guide to Finding Aids

 

Our finding aids are updated on an ongoing basis as we add information about collections that are newly processed.

Finding Aids

M198 - Lisa Ferguson Stoeffel rock art drawings, Bandelier National Monument (N.M.)

Collection Overview

  • Creator: Ferguson Stoeffel, Lisa
  • Dates: 1986-1988
  • Extent:
  • Abstract:

    Forty-six original drawings of Bandelier rock art by Lisa Ferguson Stoeffel, later published in Rock Art of Bandelier National Monument.

  • Language: English
  • Collection Identifier: M198
  • Physical Location: This collection is located at the Center of Southwest Studies on the campus of Fort Lewis College (1000 Rim Dr. Durango, CO).

 

Using these Materials

Please contact the Center of Southwest Studies Archives Manager at archives@fortlewis.edu for more information about reproductions and accessing the collection.

 

Access Restrictions: There are no access restrictions on the use of this collection. The collection is non-circulating but open to the public for use in the Delaney Southwest Research Library at the Center of Southwest Studies.

 

Reproduction and Copyright: Materials held by the Center may be protected under U.S. and international copyright laws. Reproduction does not constitute a transfer of copyright or publication rights. Researchers are solely responsible for complying with copyright law and for obtaining any necessary permissions for reproduction or publication. The Center assumes no liability for unauthorized use of materials.

 

Related Materials: See Arthur H. Rohn, Rock Art of Bandelier National Monument, photographs by William M. Ferguson, drawings by Lisa Ferguson, foreword by Richard B. Woodbury (Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1989). This book is available in the Delaney Library at the Center of Southwest Studies and elsewhere. Call number: E99.P9 R64 1989.

 

Preferred Citation: [Identification of item], [Collection Title], [Collection Number], Center of Southwest Studies, Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado.

 

 

Collection Description

Scope & Contents: Forty-six original black and white drawings of the rock art at Bandelier National Monument that were drawn by Lisa Ferguson during the period 1986 to 1988 and were published in Rock Art of Bandelier National Monument (text by Arthur H. Rohn; photographs by William M. Ferguson; drawings by Lisa Ferguson; foreword by Richard B. Woodbury; published in Albuquerque by the University of New Mexico Press, 1989).

 

Acquisition information: This is accession 2002:10007. Prior to the creator's donation of these original drawings to the Center in October of 2002, they were on loan to the Center (since November 19, 2001).

 

Processing information: Work on this collection was generously funded by cash gifts from Mr. William Ferguson and Mr. Mead Ferguson, relatives of the artist.  To preserve the originals and to provide access to their content, the Center's archival staff have placed each drawing into an archival folder, have placed all of the items together in a lidded flat archival box, and have produced high-resolution digital images, accessible on this and the hyperlinked pages in lower-resolution thumbnail and access images.

This guide was produced by Todd Ellison, Certified Archivist, Center of Southwest Studies (November 2004), with the assistance of  Gretchen Gray (web pages content completion), David Schiowitz (creation of the derivative jpeg files and insertion of those images into the pages with hyperlinks) and other student archival assistants at the Center, including Kali Willie, who produced the descriptive list in October of  2002.  Digitization was by volunteer Ed Lederman, student intern Lloyd Poncho, and Todd Ellison.

 

 

Detailed Description of the Collection

Item-level description of the drawings

#

Title

Description

43

Room Cluster V at Long House

Two concentrations of rock art occur in Room Cluster V.  The panel of kachina masks decorates the back wall of the third floor dance plaza formed by the roots over Rooms 166/2 through 183/2.  Here the occupants of this room cluster probably performed those rites important to the well being and identity of the group, and the adjacent rock art may reflect their legendary history.

45

Flat head kachina mask at Long House

This drawing of a simple kachina mask petroglyph occurs at the upper left of the mask panel above Room 166/2a.

46

Painted stick figure above Room 186/4 

This painted stick figure above Room 186/4 seems to represent a kachina holding a club in its left hand and a stick or short spear in its right.  The line rising from its round head probably represents a feather.

49

Cliff above Room Cluster IV at Long House

The cliff above Room Cluster IV displays no rock art.  However, the people who lived here built the only kiva found in Long House.  Room 137 stood twice as tall as the other rooms and had been partially carved out of the rock.  Its walls were once plastered and painted with colored murals, but today only scant traces of this plaster can be seen.

50

Room Cluster III at Long House

 

Room Cluster III at Long House focused around the tall natural chimney in the cliff face in which its residents constructed their only three-story building—Room 127.  On the cliff face of the upper story and above it they pecked seven kachina figures, a serpent, and a square with a cross inside it.

52

"Ready" Crouch Kachina Figure at Long House

This petroglyph of a stick kachina-like figure has a triangular head, both arms raised, and outstretched legs in a “ready” crouch.

53

Curved-legged Kachina Figure at Long House

 

Petroglyph of a kachina-like figure above Room 127/3 with round head, arms extended to both sides, and legs curved upward towards the hands.

54

Three-fingered Kachina Figure at Long House

 

Petroglyph of a kachina-like figure above Room 127/3 with round head, broad body, both arms raised, three fingers on each hand, and outstretched legs.

56

Room Cluster II at Long House

The rooms in Room Cluster II show unusual uniformity in floor size and ceiling height.  Their occupants stood on the roofs of their houses to inscribe on the cliff face the most impressive array of rock art figures found at Long House.

61

One-feathered Kachina Figure at Long House

This pecked kachina figure above Room 85/2 has a large horseshoe shaped body, very short arms and legs, and one feather.

62

Winged Kachina Figure at Long House

 

This petroglyph above Room 85/2 represents either a kachina with wings or an angel.  In the latter case, it would denote knowledge of Christianity following Spanish contact, the sole case we observed in Long House.

63

Sad Kachina Figure at Long House

This petroglyph above Room 85/2 depicts a round headed kachina with sad face, distinct neck, broad body, upraised arms with four fingers on each large hand (perhaps extended toward viewer), and short legs with both feet pointing left.

64

Seated Kachina Figure at Long House

This elaborate kachina petroglyph appears to be seated to the left of the doorway into cave Room 81/3.  Many feathers project from its rectangular head, while the neck and rectangular body have been sectioned.  The right arm is raised and the left extends downward.

65

Stylized Serpent Pair, Room Cluster II at Long House

 

The eight stylized serpent figures in the dance plaza panel of Room Cluster II all run vertically and usually occur in pairs.  This pair above the east wall of Room 77/3 have a small rectangular headed kachina between them.

68

Simple Ovoid Mask at Long House

 

This simple ovoid mask with joined eyes decorates the back wall of Room 73/3 to the right of the doorway into the cave room behind.

72

The considerable length of Room Cluster I discloses two possible ceremonial zones, the most obvious a dance plaza on the roofs of seven second story rooms from Room 44/2 through 54/2 in front of an extensive rock art panel.  The second zone runs along the narrow uneven ledge part way up the cliff face above Rooms 29 through 44, where a second panel of rock art occurs.  This zone could be reached only by climbing up the steep ledge from the roof of Room 17/2.

[image file under construction: to be stitched for insertion here]

73

Doorway at Room Cluster I at Long House

The densest concentration of rock art in Room Cluster I lies above Rooms 47/2 and 50/2 at the back of the dance plaza.  It includes kachina figures, a kachina mask, serpents, and sets of concentric circles surrounding the doorway into cave Room 50/3.

74

Bunny-eared Kachina Mask, Room Cluster I at Long House

 

This featureless round mask with “bunny” like ears or feathers may be seen on the back wall of Room 50/2.

75

Big-footed Kachina Figure, Room Cluster I at Long House

 

The largest kachina figure in Room Cluster I, located to the right of the doorway into cave Room 50/3, has few distinguishing features—a large head with two very short feathers.  Its arms project outward from what should be waist level, and its legs are straight with very big feet.

76

Three Rectangle-headed Figures at Long House

This close group of three rectangular headed figures just above and right of the doorway into cave Room 50/3 has been badly eroded.

77

Stylized Snake at Long House

 

Highest on the cliff face above cave Room 50/3’s doorway is the pecked figure of a stylized snake that seems to be squeezing through a square.

79

Kachina-like Figure, Room Cluster I at Long House

 

This round headed kachina-like figure with tiny body, arms, and legs may be found above Room 41/2.

82

Large Serpent, Room Cluster I at Long House

 

The large serpent of the high ledge panel lies behind a circle or shield and has an L-shaped block on its tail.

85

Mudhead Kachina Head and Arms, Room Cluster I at Long House

 

Only the head and arms of this Mudhead Kachina survive above the Room 61/2 in Room Cluster I.

86

Dancing Mudhead Kachina Figure, Room Cluster II at Long House

 

This Mudhead Kachina seems to be dancing on the cliff face above the wall between Rooms 103/2 and 106/2 near the east end of Room Cluster II.

88

Five-fingered Kachina Figure, Room Cluster II at Long House

This kachina figure to the left of the large niche above the west end of Room 73/3 in Room Cluster II seems to be jumping.  Atypically, five fingers are shown on each hand.

89

Four-armed Kachina Figure, Room Cluster II at Long House

This squarish kachina figure above Room 73/3 in Room Cluster II appears to have four arms.

90

Small Kachina Figure, Room Cluster III at Long House

 

This small kachina figures typifies the detail shown on all the figures on the walls of the natural chimney above Room 127/3 in Room Cluster III.

91

Jumping Kachina Figure at Long House

 

Yet another kachina figure above the east end of Room 50/2 has arms and legs extended as if jumping.

92

Triangular Kachina Mask, Room Cluster V at Long House

Kachina masks exhibit all the same shapes as the heads on kachina figures except for the rectangular form.  This triangular mask with eyes, nose, and mouth occurs in the center room above Room 166/2a as part of the mask panel in Room Cluster V.

93

Round Kachina Mask, Room Cluster V at Long House

This round kachina mask with facial features lies above and to the right of figure 92 above Room 166/2a in the mask panel of Room Cluster V.

94

Heart-shaped Kachina Mask, Room Cluster V at Long House

Heart shaped kachina masks occur rarely. This one with legs appears above Room 170/3 in the mask panel of Room Cluster V.

95

Diamond Kachina Mask, Room Cluster II at Long House

This full featured diamond shaped kachina mask may be seen above Room 100/2 in Room Cluster II.

96

Round Kachina Mask, Room 50/2 at Long House

Many Kachina masks, such as this round one above the east end of Room 50/2, have curved lines attached to them to symbolize feathers.

98

Small Duck, Room 85/2 at Room Cluster II at Long House

A small duck waddles along the east end of Room 85/2 in Room Cluster II.

99

Isolated Crow Figure, Room Cluster II at Long House

This isolated figure of a crow stands above and to the right of the doorway into cave Room 93/3 in Room Cluster II.

100

Dove above Room 186/3 at Room Cluster V at Long House

The bird above Room 186/3 in Room Cluster V appears to be a dove.

102

Chipmunk above Room 65 at Room Cluster II at Long House

The small animal above the Squash Kachina over Room 65 in Room Cluster II appears to be a chipmunk.

103

Animal with Small Rectangular Figure, Room Cluster V at Long House

The animal facing a small rectangle headed kachina figure above Room 182/3 in Room Cluster V appears to have antlers, yet its body and head seem much too bulky for a deer, pronghorn antelope, or elk.

104

Serpent, West-end of Room Cluster I at Long House

This serpent figure above Room 5/2 near the west end of Room Cluster I in Long House clearly has a tail at the left and a head at the right even though parts of it have been damaged by erosion.

105

Snakehead, Room Cluster I at Long House

The snakehead above Room 23/2 in Room Cluster I shows unusual realism, even to the projecting tongue or fangs.  Its body either has eroded or was never completed.

106

Serpent, East Wall above Room 100/2 at Long House

Most serpents in Long House rock art have been stylized as horizontal zigzag lines with an ovoid of diamond shaped head such as this one above the east wall of Room 100/2 in Room Cluster II.

110

Zigzag Serpents, Room Cluster II at Long House

These two vertical zigzag lines above the west part of Room 85/2 in Room Cluster II have been interpreted as serpents because of the tight spirals at their upper ends.

113

Sun House Figure near top of Cliff above Talus House

Hewett labeled Sun House in Frijoles Canyon for this figure of a sun pecked high above the small talus ruin on the cliff face that could only be reached by descending a rock ledge from above.  The animal above the sun symbol looks almost like a kangaroo rat, either standing in the background or jumping over the sun.

114

Trio of Animals above Snake Kiva

This trio of animal forms was pecked onto the rock face near the top of the cliff high above Snake kiva in Frijoles Canyon. A serpent crawls along above a horse with wrappings around both its muzzle and tail and an imaginary animal with massive body and tail.  Judging from their subject matter and style, these latter two figures were probably carved after the arrival of the Spaniards in 1540.

115

High Cliff Panel above Talus House

On yet another high cliff section above the Talus House in Frijoles Canyon stands a small panel of rock art.  In the center is a circle with a coyote either balancing on top of it or holding it (a coyote baying at the moon?).  A group of serpents and a possible bird complete this panel.B

 

 

CreatorFerguson Stoeffel, Lisa
Dates1986-1988

Forty-six original drawings of Bandelier rock art by Lisa Ferguson Stoeffel, later published in Rock Art of Bandelier National Monument.

LanguageEnglish
Collection IdentifierM198
Physical LocationThis collection is located at the Center of Southwest Studies on the campus of Fort Lewis College (1000 Rim Dr. Durango, CO).
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