On Friday, October 24, esteemed archaeologist Eric Ritter will give a public presentation on “Colonial and Pre-Colonial Rock Images of the Californias,” covering what is now northern Baja and the southwestern United States. The rock art of this region goes back thousands of years. The Free event takes place at Nevada City’s Madelyn Helling Library on Maidu Avenue at 7pm.
Dr. Ritter will share photos of rock imagery and give an overview of native images and earthen art while discussing styles, dating, interpretation, and the history of research. He will also discuss the importance of involving indigenous descendants in rock image studies.
Ritter retired as an archaeologist for the Bureau of Land Management after fifty years of service. He has spent many field seasons doing research in Baja and is a highly respected authority on the region’s rock imagery and pre-history.
Don Laylander, another renowned archaeologist, published a thirty-five page tribute to Ritter and his work in Baja in an archaeological journal. Laylander wrote in the article, “Ritter’s commitment to intensive work on the peninsula was not equaled by any of his predecessors, and it has yet to be overtaken by his contemporaries….Ritter’s extensive contributions have marked a stage of maturation in Baja California archaeology.”
Nolan Smith, Vice-President of Friends of Sierra Rock Art, commented, “It is remarkable that someone with Ritter’s stature is coming to our area. We are very fortunate he can share his photographs of rock art and his knowledge of rock images and ancient native cultures.”
Friends of Sierra Rock Art, which is sponsoring the event, works with the Tahoe National Forest, other agencies, and Native Americans to protect cultural resources. It is the first non-professional organization to have received the Society for California Archaeology’s prestigious Helen C. Smith award for contributions to California archaeology. It is also the recipient of the American Rock Art Research Association’s 2025 national conservation award.
For more information go to www.sierrarockart.com or contact Bill Drake at billdrake2@gmail.com.