The First Peoples left behind glimpses of their lives, cultures, and beliefs: petroglyphs (patterns etched into rock), pictograms (painted figures on rock faces), and their dwellings. We see these fragments of their world now only dimly; we can appreciate the art and engineering but we lack the wisdom to truly understand their past. I am strongly drawn to these images and places, to the ghosts that linger in the beauty and strength of the ruins. I've photographed petroglyphs and pictograms in six states so far, and my respect for those unknown artists grows with every new discovery.
When I stand amid the remains of an ancient pueblo or enter a kiva that was built 800 years ago, I hope to touch a small bit of the wonder and mystery of those long-vanished lives, and see the world—even just a small bit—through their eyes. These photos are my attempts to bring that wonder and mystery back for others to experience.