Hmmmmm. I didn't think of using a negative to highlight the markings on the stone. I'll bet that would work (I'll try it on some of them). I had good light and could see at the sight better than it shows in the photographs.
I've been to several sites for solstice and equinox. Using shadow or light is pretty common to highlight a carving.
The indigenous populations in the west (whose record remains) either had some sort of mathematics or incredible observation skills when predicting/noting seasonal change. I see it again and again.
A note here that I did not deal with in the post. There was a place where a panel about 6 feet long by 2 feet high had been removed. The remaining surface was just too clean and there was 0 natural breakage underneath. I'm guessing that is in a museum or more likely, a private collection.
I've heard of two more sites in South Nevada that I need to check on. I'm thinking October or maybe November. Temps will allow camping at a lower elevation. I'll 'do' Great Basin National Park on the same trip...
Oh wow I wonder what was on that missing panel!
I will be looking forward to more of what you see! :-)
☀
Have you seen the video of the sun daggers on the
spirals at Fajada Butte during solstice and equinoxes?