Picture Cave (23WN79)
Pictograph Chronology
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 23308492 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Karen L Steelman (0000-0003-3418-3645, Shumla Archaeological Research & Education Center, corresponding author), Michael J Fuller (0000-0001-8030-7413, St Louis Community College) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-9 |
| Publication date | 2026-07-22 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | American Antiquity (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0002-7316 • E-ISSN: 2325-5064 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/aaq.2026.10200 |
| OpenAlex | W7170090779 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 15 |
To determine the chronology of the imagery and iconography at Picture Cave in the Missouri River Valley, we radiocarbon dated 16 additional pictographs using plasma oxidation and accelerator mass spectrometry. Bayesian chronological modeling estimates that pictograph production began between cal AD 85 and 530 and ended in cal AD 1325–1630 , with a duration of 905–1480 years (95.4% probability). Although the majority of pictographs were produced during the Late Woodland and Early Mississippian periods, one age is within the Middle Woodland period, and two of the pictographs were created during the Middle Mississippian or Late Mississippian periods. X-ray diffraction identified graphitic carbon as pyrolyzed carbon for black paintings and drawings and hematite and goethite iron minerals for red pictographs on the sandstone rock substrate. Given its multiple visitations over time, Picture Cave is a persistent sacred place within the landscape.
Cave · Chronology · Hematite · Prehistory · Radiocarbon dating · Rock art · Woodland · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Archaeology and Rock Art Studies · Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis
Ancient Ritual Behavior as Reflected in the Imagery at Picture Cave, Missouri, USA
The origins of engraved marine shell cups, copper repoussé plates, and ritual centers
Radiocarbon dating and the “old wood” problem
Evaluating the dating and context of long-nosed god maskettes and iconography in the American midcontinent
Bayesian Analysis of Radiocarbon Dates
The IntCal20 Northern Hemisphere Radiocarbon Age Calibration Curve (0–55 cal kBP)
Lead and Zinc Pigmented Mural Paint
Cueva La Conga
AMS Radiocarbon Dates for Charcoal from Three Missouri Pictographs and Their Associated Iconography
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |