ABSTRACT
Rock art imagery often relates to the mythological structure of the authoring group, and imagery, including animals of prey, whether or not hunting ritual is connected with the art, may have important symbolic values. In the American Southwest, roadrunner tracks appear in Jornada-style petroglyphs in southern New Mexico and in the historically related but later Pueblo rock art to the north. As a symbol of strength, the roadrunner has a role in curing ceremonies. The roadrunner track also occurs in the rock art of the Rio Grande style, but it is comparatively rare. As a graphic image, the roadrunner track is best known from its appearance in the rock art of the Jornada style, where it is one of the less spectacular but more frequently occurring elements. The importance of the association of the incurved X and the carnivore track is further emphasized by their appearance together as designs on artefacts.
