Appalachia

I also posted this article to the thread for "Native Americans of the Appalachians -- Resources" but thought anyone interested in the topic of this cave art wouldn't want to miss it.

Link: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-06/uota-uot061913.php

University of Tennessee professor finds prehistoric rock art connected; maps cosmological belief
UUT anthropology professor Jan Simek finds art is strategically placed to reveal a cosmological puzzle

(excerpt)
"The cosmological divisions of the universe were mapped onto the physical landscape using the relief of the Cumberland Plateau as a topographic canvas," said Simek.

The "upper world" included celestial bodies and weather forces personified in mythic characters that exerted influences on the human situation. Mostly open-air art sites located in high elevations touched by the sun and stars feature these images. Many of the images are drawn in the color red, which was associated with life.

The "middle world" represented the natural world. A mixture of open air and cave art sites hug the middle of the plateau and feature images of people, plants and animals of mostly secular character.

The "lower world" was characterized by darkness and danger, and was associated with death, transformation and renewal. The art sites, predominantly found in caves, feature otherworldly characters, supernatural serpents and dogs that accompanied dead humans on the path of souls. The inclusion of creatures such as birds and fish that could cross the three layers represents the belief that the boundaries were permeable. Many of these images are depicted in the color black, which was associated with death....