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Science & Medicine

Photos: Cataloging petroglyphs at China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station

Michael Baskerville, 51, right, explores Little Petroglyph Canyon Paul Goldsmith, who did a documentary on the petroglyphs.

Michael Baskerville, 51, right, explores Little Petroglyph Canyon Paul Goldsmith, who did a documentary on the petroglyphs.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

The U.S. Navy has begun the challenging task of cataloging more than a million petroglyphs within its secret weapons testing center at China Lake, near Ridgecrest, Calif.

Petroglyphs

Some of the thousands of petroglyphs lining the walls of Little Petroglyph Canyon, which is in a restricted area of China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Petroglyphs

Archeologists say the petroglyphs were carved by the Coso Shoshone peoples about 15,000 years ago.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Petroglyphs

Michael Baskerville, 51, examines a petroglyph at Little Petroglyph Canyon.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

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Petroglyphs

The petroglyphs portray animals, people and radiating circles.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Petroglyphs

Petroglyphs line lining he walls of Little Petroglyph Canyon. The area was established as a Navy base in 1943.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Petroglyphs

Petroglyphs in Little Petroglyph Canyon.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Petroglyphs

Michael Baskerville explores Little Petroglyph Canyon.  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

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