The Watson petroglyph complex as an enduring place in Southeastern Oregon, United States of America

Five petroglyph traditions identified at the Watson petroglyph complex most likely span a period from at least 2500 BCE to 1850 CE. Excavated exposure of Mount Mazama tephra and recovery of two Middle Archaic point fragments suggest that site complex use extends back to 5000 BCE. Recovery of a Rosegate series point and a brown ware ceramic bowl fragment shows that Native American site use continued into proto-historic times. Flakes and river pebbles that were found wedged within cracks of petroglyph boulders as well as pecking around natural features on the rock together with the repeated rubbing of certain rock surfaces are physical testimonies of ritualized actions at the site complex.