The most recent figures at Long Lake show the least weathering and belong to the Great Basin Representational style which includes figures of humans and animals. Some figures were made in historic times as they depict people riding horses. Some American Indian tribes have oral traditions about rock art and its meaning. Some believe that the spirit of the makers resides in what they have created. Whatever peoples' responses to or interpretations of rock art may be, it often stimulates human thoughts and imaginations and expands human awareness of cultural expressions.
Rock art can mean something different to each person who ponders it.
We in Oregon are fortunate to have many examples of these beautiful and ancient symbols. Brainstorm examples of symbols meaningful to us today. Give each student a piece of paper, a marker, or paint, and clay or plaster of paris slab and a paper clip. Ask them to flatten the clay into a slab and imagine that it or the plaster of paris slab and the paper are rock walls. Have them paint or draw a symbol on the paper.