Four O'clock?

[Fifty.Seven]

Do these marking make sense to anyone?

[Old Dog]

Absolutely !
You will get a clearer picture of the map content if you make a negative image like this.

This is an omega or master site map. it shows the positions of the monuments used to verify the map's authenticity as well as the trails in and out of the site.

[Old Dog]

All the monuments shown in this map will be off the trail and concealed from view.
they will be 1, 2 or 300 varas from the trail. (all the same distance and all off the same side of the trail.)

hope this helps

[goverton]

"4" could mean North or Square yourself to map.

Snake at top right may be another indicator.......looks like part of head and tail are not in this pic

[Springfield]

Interesting find. The carver obviously knew (knows) the significance of the '4' and '5', which seem both 'important' to the panel and 'modern' in appearance (19th/20th century block style?). With nothing else to go on, and if you have plenty of time on your hands, see if you can find another '4' and '5' carved elsewhere in the area - this can be a daunting task. If you're lucky and find them, map them accurately in relationship to your panel and start over with your new info - maybe the arrow will come into play. The other '5', if there is one, may be located on the opposite side of a watercourse.

[Cleveland B.]

Beautiful map.

Thanks Old Dog for your info
from the archives...it is amazing.

[Old Dog]

Interesting find. The carver obviously knew (knows) the significance of the '4' and '5', which seem both 'important' to the panel and 'modern' in appearance (19th/20th century block style?). With nothing else to go on, and if you have plenty of time on your hands, see if you can find another '4' and '5' carved elsewhere in the area - this can be a daunting task. If you're lucky and find them, map them accurately in relationship to your panel and start over with your new info - maybe the arrow will come into play. The other '5', if there is one, may be located on the opposite side of a watercourse.

I agree, many times a major water course or river would be marked as a snake telling the reader this is treacherous to cross.
The Spanish didn't often use this style of 4 as it led to confusion.
All things considered this map is a more modern one than it wants us to believe.
No matter how traditional the style used to create it.

[goverton]

This could be a layout of a huge area. Showing a Mountain Range, a Large Snake type River, and places that were used to camp out along the way.
Try to get Aerial Photo(Google Earth) and Topo of this area where this map is located and see if you can match up land marks on maps to this map...

[Springfield]

This could be a layout of a huge area. Showing a Mountain Range, a Large Snake type River, and places that were used to camp out along the way.
Try to get Aerial Photo(Google Earth) and Topo of this area where this map is located and see if you can match up land marks on maps to this map...

I'd be interested where the panel was found and what trails or landmarks it is close to. Keep in mind that this panel may be something other than a 'treasure map'. Was there mining activity nearby? Are there 'stories' about the area? How long has this panel been known by the locals? If it has been recently 'discovered', beware.

If this panel is a map of some sort, I also wouldn't assume that it is complete. It may be a portion or a single node from a bigger picture. By the looks of it, it seems fairly sophisticated.

I wouldn't assume that the carvings represent a 'huge' area, although even a mile or two can be huge if you're searching for additional carvings or other sign. When you begin trying to match assumed landmarks from this one rock 'map' (if it is a map) to possible points on topo maps and/or aerial photos, you'll probably find many possibilities to work with. The fractal nature of the landscape and the tendency of the human mind to bend the facts to suit his fancy are two powerful problems to deal with. Start out small (one mile radius) and search diligently. If you don't find anything more that excites you, expand your plan and decide how much time and energy you want to spend on it. Good luck.

[goverton]

One thing I have noticed is to try www.maps.google.com
use the Terrain mode 1st as it might show a bit more of mountain range and rivers, etc.
See my example.>>>

then use Google Earth and Topographical map to match up.
Be sure to look at all angles of maps.....rock map may be upside down or turned to fool you.