The IVC Archaeology class has come across a number of lizards in the past three weeks. While most of them are a bit camera shy and run for the nearest bush and or hole, some of them have consented to pose for our cameras. Knowing the animals in an area is important to the archaeologist. It can give clues to available food. Lizards can be pounded with a hammer stone, cooked and eaten bones and all, similar to a sardine.
Lizards appear in art forms.
Sometimes even the genus of lizard can be identified in the art form. The Desert Iguana is common throughout Imperial County. They are found in areas with sand, scattered rocks and creosote bush. Adults are 10 to 16 inches long. They eat vegetable matter, insects, and carrion.