Cave Paintings Of Baja California: Discovering the Great Murals of an Unknown People

The Great Murals of Mexico's Baja California are one of the five greatest sites in the world for primitive rock art. They rank with those of southern France, northern Spain, northwest Africa, and outback Australia. These Great Murals, created by an unknown people, are without doubt the most distinctive trove of rock art in the Western Hemisphere. The site was unveiled to the modern world in the 1960s by adventure/mystery writer Erle Stanley Gardner who brought in UCLA archaeologist Clement Meighan to validate the importance of his find. But it was not until the 1970s, when author/photographer Harry W. Crosby undertook a systematic search for the largely unknown works hidden in the mountains of central Baja that the scope and significance of the find became known. He documented his search and discovery of over 200 previously unreported rock art sites leading to the original publication of The Cave Paintings of Baja California by Copley Books in 1975 which first introduced this cave art to the general public. Since that time, Baja California's Great Murals have been designated a United Nations Heritage Site.

This lavishly illustrated full-color account is greatly revised and expanded from the original edition and offers Crosby's unique perspective on the painted sites and painting styles found in different parts of the Great Mural area. Crosby's explorations, studies and writings since his original forays into the mountains of central Baja California have established him as one of the foremost authorities on Baja California's colorful past. This is the most complete treatment of this world-class archaeological site currently available.

Every year, more and more professional researchers, rock art aficionados, and curious tourists visit the caves and rock shelters of Baja California. To them as well as the armchair traveler, this is an invaluable reference work, field guide and adventure narrative to the magnificent art that survives on this rugged peninsula. This is a classic that will be read by the specialist and general reader for years to come.

The Cave Paintings of Baja California was named a selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club, History Book Club, and the Natural History Book Club. The book is endorsed by the Mexican government. Contributing photographer is Enrique Hambleton. Specifications: 246 pages; 10" x 10" hardbound with dust jacket; 71 full color photographs; 11 black and white photographs; 8 full color maps; 6 black and white maps; and 108 full color illustrations; bibliography; index; glossary of technical, colloquial, and Spanish terms.