In March 2011, volunteers officially recorded over 100 elements of rock art and graffiti in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, within a mile of the Visitor Center. 
One of the most interesting glyphs was a two foot high stick figure with a spiral head, known as “Spiral Man.” This figure and many other animals and symbols, also known as petroglyphs, were scratched and pecked onto the rocks of the preserve nearly 800 years ago by the Hohokam.
Arizona Archaeological Society certified rock art recorders, Gerry and Roger Haase, under the supervision of acting City of Phoenix archaeologist, Dr. Jerry Howard began recording on March 8, 2011. Three other members of the Phoenix Mountains Preservation Council (PMPC) were along to help: Ken Gometz, Tom Kreuser and Holly Bode. 
The group recorded about 52 elements, getting information about the size, facing, distance and elevation of individual boulders and taking digital photos. This data was entered into a computer program developed by the Haase’s, and the photos and maps generated and put onto a CD and given to the City of Phoenix and PMPC. The collected information will be part of an ongoing database of rock art in the valley that experts are compiling. Graffiti is recorded so that future researchers can tell if there has been graffiti damage done to previously intact glyphs and to see whether or not graffiti activity is increasing or decreasing.
On March 22, 2011 the Haase’s and Bode went back to the site and recorded an additional 53 elements, including some panels that contained several glyphs. Unfortunately, this excursion yielded more graffiti than rock art. Other groups of isolated boulders containing rock art still need to be surveyed and recorded and the Haase’s plan to finish this project in the near future. They have recorded over 120 sites in the previous eight years and PMPC is grateful for their help and expertise.
To date, over 40 volunteer hours have gone into making sure that future generations will know about the cultural heritage of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. If you come across a petroglyph while hiking in the Preserve, remember that these are fragile resources that should not be touched. For more information about rock art in the Preserve, please visit the North Mountain Visitor Center managed by Save Our Mountains Foundation and check out the educational petroglyphs display.
