El Morro Inscription Rock

A unique window to the past, Inscription Rock at El Morro National Monument in western New Mexico is a simple sandstone outcrop with a complex history. Thousands of written inscriptions have been carved in the soft rock face document over six hundred years of human activity. These inscriptions provide cultural evidence from three distinct groups of people: Indigenous ancestral Puebloan inhabitants of the region; colonial Spanish military, government, and missionary representatives; and Americans traveling west in pursuit of territorial expansion. After first witnessing the carvings as a child, late author John M. Slater returned to El Morro throughout his adult life with a mission to help preserve these written artifacts through his own photographs and written records. Focusing on inscriptions from the Spanish and Mexican and, later, American peoples, this book provides a comprehensive list of inscriptions by physical location, a collection of photographs and illustrations, and historical accounts of the groups who made the inscriptions. With his careful organization and presentation of field data, this book is a testament to Slater’s lifetime of dedication and learning, and is a perfect companion piece to any guide to the Inscription Rock Trail at El Morro National Monument.

• ISBN: 9781583691366
• Genre: History
• Format: Paperback
• Trim size: 6" x 9"
• Page count: 176 pages
• Published by Western National Parks Association in 1991, copyright 1961
• Written by John M. Slater
• Audience: General, Adult