Incised Lines
Incised Lines: The incised lines in the photograph are approximately 1 mm or less in width. The panel in the photograph is approximately six inches wide (13 cm).
This panel is part of a very interesting rock-art site, containing many petroglyphs, pictographs, that are covered with incised lines. Also, other rocks with single incised lines.
Location: Little Whiskey Flat, Nevada.
Reference: Mineral County-5 (Mi-5); Prehistoric Rock Art of Nevada and Eastern California, Heizer and Baumhoff, University of California Press. Listed as Whiskey Flat Site, but located in Little Whiskey Flat.
Note: The incised lines radiate from small holes in the bedrock. This is common elsewhere at the rock art site.
The circle is approximately 6 inches in diameter. Width of the incised lines are the same as in the above photograph. At this site petroglyphs cover incised lines and pictographs, as well as lines over pictographs and petroglyphs. A mixture of methods of application.
Note: In some literature the term, incised lines, is replaced with the phrase, scratched petroglyphs. I prefer the usage of "incised lines" because it describes the use of an object/tool that cuts a very, sharp, clean line on the surface of the rock face. Whereas "scratched" infers a tool that causes an abrasion-like cut in the rock surface.
Petroglyph Definitions: (Provided by Fred E. Coy, Jr.)
Scratched = a
line just through the surface with a pointed tool, no cross section identification.
Incised = cut with a sharp instrument, "V" shaped in cross section.
Pecked = multiple points of percussion, irregular margins and troughs ,
"U"
shaped in cross section.
Abraded = smooth margins and troughs, "U" shaped in cross section.
Discussion welcome...Comments appreciated