This lack of detail makes it difficult to clearly determine the nature of most of the anthropomorphic representations. Occasionally a petroglyph panel will include enough component symbolism to associate the design with other prehistoric information of greater detail. This greater detail can sometimes be discovered painted on kiva murals or on pottery. Painting allowed the prehistoric artist to include elements that the stone media prohibited. Prehistoric ceramics often portray anthropomorphs in action performing daily activities, ceremonies, and rituals.
Vessels often illustrate legends and stories.
These ceramics include not only the actors and objects associated with the action depicted, but also symbolic objects and representations that illuminate figurative representations in other media such as the rock imagery of the Southwest. There has been considerable speculation as to the meaning of these several arm, leg and body positions. The generic rigid or determined stance with both arms down along the body of the glyph and both legs and feet on the ground, often with the genitals present, has been defined simply as a male anthropomorph. It represents man. Most of the petroglyphs from the Upper Little Colorado region that display anthropomorphs include other more complex elements such as three toes or fingers, exaggerated hands or feet and other limb positioning that reveals more about the nature of the glyph.