Pictographs were made by mixing natural pigments such as hematite, limonite or charcoal with a binder like animal or vegetable fat, the white of an egg or blood. Various shades of red seem to be the predominant color in North America and that is true for the few pictographs we have in North Carolina. Brushes and fingers were used to apply the pigment. Also, charcoal or a piece of hematite was used to draw directly on the rock.
Petroglyphs were made in several different ways; by directly striking the stone surface with another rock in a repetitive grinding, pecking or abrading motion or through the use of a chisel like stone tool. This tool was placed on the rock surface and then hit by a hammerstone. Greater control was achieved using this method.
Mud glyphs were made by drawing with sticks or fingers in the mud, much like finger painting. |
