On Thursday, February 19, 2026, Old Pueblo Archaeology Center invites you to attend the “Third Thursday Food for Thought” Zoom program featuring the presentation “But Is It Art? Historical Debate and Indigenous Perspectives on Rock Imagery” by anthropologist Aaron M. Wright, Ph.D. This free presentation will be held at 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time).

Over the past 75 years, the study of petroglyphs and pictographs has developed into an independent field, supported by its own organizations, publications, and shared terminology. During this time, the term “rock art” became widely used to describe human-made images and markings on stone surfaces. However, this label has prompted ongoing debate. Many people – particularly Indigenous communities – question whether the word “art” accurately reflects the meaning, purpose, or cultural significance of these images. While some researchers, land managers, and descendant communities accept the term for practical reasons, others view it as misleading, limiting, or disrespectful.

Drawing on recent research, this presentation addresses the issue through two studies. A review of publication titles since 1865 shows that “rock art” is just one of many terms used by professionals and is relatively recent. A survey of federally recognized Tribes further reveals broad, though not universal, dissatisfaction with applying the term to ancestral petroglyphs and pictographs. The take-away message is that, in an era when decolonizing scholarship is a moral imperative, researchers and organizations should work with Tribes to develop language that is accurate, respectful, and meaningful to all.

Dr. Aaron M. Wright is a preservation anthropologist with Archaeology Southwest, a nonprofit organization based in Tucson.

To register for the Zoom webinar go to https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ePzBxoVHQKK-9MArg0ZvSg. For more information contact Old Pueblo at info@oldpueblo.org or 520-798-1201.

Flyer: 20260219(v1)ThirdThursday_AaronWright_ButIsItArt

Caption: “But Is It Art?” Photo credits: Barrier Canyon Style pictograph mural in Horseshoe Canyon, southeastern Utah: John Fowler, Wikimedia Commons. Picture frame: www.pikpng.com. Label plate, www.clipartmax.com.