Ancient Art Comes Home!

The captivating saga of incised stones at the Gault site dates to the early '90s, which includes a notable feature in Texas Monthly titled 'Engraved in Stone' in January 1993. This article shared the extraordinary tale of a private collector who discovered incised stones at the Gault site, collaborating with Dr. Michael B. Collins and Dr. Thomas Hester to establish their antiquity within the Clovis interval, around 13,300 – 12,900 years ago. This represents some of the most ancient art in the Western Hemisphere. Such occurrences are rare, yet they happen, and it appears we are embarking on another similar journey!

In a recent development, Gault has welcomed back a remarkable, rare, and unique 'incised stone.' Unearthed in 1994 not far from the spring waters of Buttermilk Creek at Gault's far west side, two incised stones were uncovered some 20 centimeters below the surface. One was entrusted to Dr. Michael B. Collins at the time, while the other remained in private hands. With immense excitement, we can announce the return of the latter 'incised stone' (see image 1).

Adding an extra layer of intrigue is the unique art incised on one face of this stone. Departing from the conventional patterns observed on most incised stones at Gault and other archaeological sites in Texas, this specimen showcases a distinctive representation of an animal — a deer, a remarkably rare occurrence. Due to the lack of chronological data during its recovery, establishing a definitive association with any specific archaeological period is unobtainable. Nevertheless, the undeniable significance of this discovery lies in its ability to reveal a compelling narrative and illustrate our collective profound appreciation for the prehistoric heritage of the Americas, our ancient human story, with a specific emphasis on the Texas region. Following an exhaustive analysis of this artifact, we will provide updates on this discovery.

An Incised Stone Exhibit at the Bullock Museum!‍

Gault is delighted to introduce its latest archaeological exhibition at the Bullock Museum, a valued collaborator in our educational endeavors. This exhibit constitutes a captivating showcase of 'incised stones' — stones deliberately modified with controlled, emblematic, and symbolic cut marks. Our prior scientific publications have consistently delved into the remarkable rarity of these archaeological treasures, providing unparalleled insights into the lives of the ancient hunter-gatherers who once flourished in this captivating landscape. Immerse yourself in the enthralling realm of Gault incised stones at the Bullock Museum and explore our Blog page for additional information on this display!

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