Barker Dam Petroglyph Cave (Joshua Tree)

Summary: Petroglyphs and pictographs in a small cave along the Barker Dam Trail in Joshua Tree National Park.

Along the Barker Dam Trail in Joshua Tree National Park are the Barker Dam Petroglyphs. The American Indian rock art.is in a small cave with a natural arch.

028A5126 Barker Dam Petroglyph Cave (Joshua Tree)

The Barker Dam Petroglyph Cave includes both petroglyphs (images carved in rock)…

028A5118 Barker Dam Petroglyph Cave (Joshua Tree)
028A5120 Barker Dam Petroglyph Cave (Joshua Tree)
028A5124 Barker Dam Petroglyph Cave (Joshua Tree)

…and pictographs (images painted with mineral paints).

028A5107 Barker Dam Petroglyph Cave (Joshua Tree)
028A5106 Barker Dam Petroglyph Cave (Joshua Tree)
028A5110 Barker Dam Petroglyph Cave (Joshua Tree)

The art is thought to be about 2,000 years old; many of the figures were enhanced or overpainted in bright colors by a Hollywood film crew in the 1940s and 1950s.

028A5113 Barker Dam Petroglyph Cave (Joshua Tree)
028A5116 Barker Dam Petroglyph Cave (Joshua Tree)
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