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R.R. Robbins (University of Texas as Austin)
One of the largest pictograph sites in the Americas is found at Paint Rock, in central Texas. On December 22, 1996, at approximately mid-day, a bright spear-shaped spot of sunlight was accidentally observed to be moving through the rocks. Observations the next year confirmed that the Sun Dagger reached its maximum altitude within a few minutes of the expected time and date for a winter solstice hierophany. Also, at maximum altitude, the Dagger reached the very center of a shield-like glyph that signifies an Indian council meeting of 5 tribes.
I suspected that there was probably also a summer solstice event of some sort, but it was not clear how to patrol a half-mile site in the hope of being at the right time at the right place. However, I was successful in employing folklore attached to some of the glyphs to help me decide where to stand and make a prediction. And right on schedule, a summer solstice sun dagger appeared, reaching maximum altitude at approximately the proper time.
There is some possibility that a vernal equinox display exists as well, but its interpretation is more problematical. Many of the glyphs at Paint Rock are still undeciphered.