Rancho Mirage Library Presents 'The Cave Paintings of Baja'

From Rancho Mirage Public Library: On Monday, December 5, 2016 at 7:00 p.m., the Rancho Mirage Public Library will offer a program presented by Maria Puente and Britt Wilson featuring their journey into the remote backcountry of Baja, which is home to several world class pictograph sites including the famous Cueva Pintada (Painted Cave). The cave paintings are comparable to the Neolithic cave murals of Europe. Additionally, Maria and Britt will show Spanish Missions that were part of their travels.

This region of Baja is accessible only on foot or by mule, seldom visited and photographed. Maria and Britt rode mules into the region in November 2014. They will share their photos in video format. The very special place they will show and describe is visited by fewer than 200 people per year due to its remote location and difficult terrain.

Maria Puente served as a member of the City of La Quinta Historical Preservation Commission from 1994 until 2015. She is a Bureau of Land Management Site Steward for Corn Springs in eastern Riverside County. She has helped record several archaeological sites in the desert region and is a member of the Coachella Valley Archaeological Society.

Britt Wilson has worked as an archaeological technician conducting surveys throughout Southern California and Nevada. Britt is also a volunteer archaeological surveyor for the Bureau of Land Management. He has recorded 500 new sites throughout the southern California region. Britt is a published author and has written two ethnographies on the Cahuilla/Serrano people. He is the president of the Coachella Valley Archaeological Society.

This program is free and open to the public. For more information, contact: Rancho Mirage Public Library, 71-100 Highway 111 Rancho Mirage, CA (760) 341-7323, www.RanchoMirageLibrary.org

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay