A "Feline in Lordosis" sculpture from the Spout Run archaeological site in Bluemont, Virginia

Kenneth B. Johnston avocational archaeologist from Ohio visited this week to study, interpret, and document portable rock art found by the Paleo-Indian site owner Chris (Comeswithclouds) White at the Sanctuary on the Trail

Ken provides a comprehensive online resource center of photos and writing about portable rock art from laypersons, amateur archaeologists, scholars and researchers around the world @ portablerockart.com.

Ken aims to promote healthy discussion and debate regarding issues of verification of artifactuality and intended iconography in portable rock art.

To contact Ken directly you can email him at kennethbjohnston@yahoo.com.

By Kenneth B. Johnston portablerockart.com

The cat is in silhouette facing left here. It may be encrusted with remnants of a red ochre based pigment. I found the sculpture after about 10 minutes at the Spout Run site. Like the nearby Arkfeld site, it will likely produce even many more examples of portable rock art in the future. The photos here suggest a rabbit likeness to some who have viewed them. Because of the age and weathering of the artifacts and our lack of all the cultural background including visual cues of the past, exact interpretations of animals are often difficult. Based on my experience, I believe the sculpture was made based on familiarity with, and significance given to, the mating behaviors of felines. Full article online at Archaeology of Portable Rock Art.

Avocational Archaeologist Ken Johnston visiting the Paleo-Indian site in Northern Virginia.