Anthropomorphic Attributes

The attribute sets and attributes for the above class are described below. Minor edits which enhance the current definitions should be made directly to the text. Major changes or revisions which change the attribute words should follow the directions at the bottom of this page under Proposed Changes.

Head

Multiple choice. These attributes are concerned with unusual shapes of the skull and do not include ears or hair. Ears are included in facial features and hair is included in head ornaments. Examples for Anthropomorphic.Head

Detached

The head is detached. If there is no headless body, the element may be may be a Mask or Head.

Headless

The head is missing, but the torso, arms and legs are of sufficient detail to indicate it is human.

Triangular

The head is triangular and flat on top.

Pointed

The head is pointed on top.

Outline

The head is an outline, not solidly pecked.

Stick

The head is a simple line and there is no distinction between the neck and head.

Stippled

The head is stippled, possibly with a solid outline.

Small

The head is about half the normal size, as judged from the length of the torso.

Large

The head is about twice or more of the normal size, as judged from the length of the torso.

Facial Features

Multiple choice. The items below are limited to facial features that are human-like in appearance. Animal ears at the top of the head or a unusual beak or snout should be described under head ornaments. Examples for Anthropomorphic.Facial Features

Ears

Ear-like appendage at the sides of the head.

Eyebrows

Lines above a visible eye.

Eyes

Eyes.

Pupils

Eyes with a center dot.

Nose

A human-like nose.

Nostrils

Holes at the bottom of a nose or holes without a nose.

Mouth

Mouth.

Teeth

Open mouth with teeth showing.

Tattoo or Paint

Crosses, circles, or other decoration on the cheeks, forehead, etc.

Head Ornaments

Multiple choice. Indicate all of the features depicted. If the figure appears to be carrying a pot or basket on the top of the head, it should be denoted under the Holding attribute set. Examples for Anthropomorphic.Head Ornaments

Things attached to the top of the head:

Animal Head

An animal head is attached to and worn above the head. If the animal head has ears or horns and a snout or beak, then those attributes should also be checked.

Ears or Horns

Any animal ear-like, horn-like, or antler-like appendages attached to the top of the head. These will always be shown as a nearly identical pair.

Feathers or Rays

Straight stick-like appendages attached to the top of the head. If there are two, it should be classified as ears or horns. A single ray with a curved end should be classified as a crown.

Floppy Hat

Any single ornament that appears connected to the top of the head and dangles down on either side.

Crown or Crest

Any other decorative ornament or ornaments attached to the top of the head that can not be described as ears or horns, feathers or rays, or a floppy hat.

Things attached to the side of the head:

Earrings

Any pair of ornaments that appears to be attached or dangling from the ears.

Earhorn

Any ornament that appears as an extension to one ear.

Pigtails

Any pair of ornaments that appear to be braided hair connected to the sides of the head.

Squash Blossom

The squash blossom hairdo frequently depicted on females. In crude forms, this may appear as a wide head.

Things attached to the face:

Snout or Beak

An animal-like nose or beak. The figure may be wearing a mask and the nose is depicted as an unnatural cylinder, beak, or other shape.

Things floating above the head:

Halo or Aura

These appear as if they are floating above the head and are not attached. There may be multiple arcs, rays, or other geometrics that may be symbolic of power or have some other meaning.

Catch-all:

Other

Any other feature that can not fit into one of the choices described listed above.

Neck

Multiple choice. If the neck appears normal, no attributes will be selected. Examples for Anthropomorphic.Neck

None

There is no neck, the head rests directly on the shoulders.

Short

The neck is depicted as shorter than normal, about half the normal length as judged from the length of the torso.

Long

The neck is depicted as longer than normal, about twice the normal length as judged from the length of the torso.

Elongated

The neck is depicted as very long, over three times the normal length, as judged from the length of the torso.

Thin

The neck is disproportionately thin.

Thick

The neck is disproportionately thick.

Arms

Multiple choice. This attribute set describes the various positions of the arms. Examples for Anthropomorphic.Arms

Bent at Elbow

The arm segments are straight, and there is a distinct bend at the elbow.

Curved

The entire arm is curved, there is no distinct elbow shown.

Straight

The entire arm is shown as straight. (Is there a way to distinguish shoulders from elbows on stick figures.)

Up

The forearms and hands point upward. For a figure that is falling or laying down, up still means toward the sky.

Down

The forearms and hands point toward the ground.

To Side

?

Hands on Hips

The elements hands appear to be placed on the hips. The arms frequently are drawn in stylistic arcs.

Fingerless Hands

The ends of the arms are enlarged to depict hands, but there is not enough detail to show fingers.

Five Fingers

The hands are drawn showing five fingers.

< Five Fingers

The hands are drawn with less than five fingers.

> Five Fingers

The hands are drawn with more than five fingers.

Big Fingers

The fingers are intentionally exaggerated in size. This is generally thought to exemplify power or magic.

Torso

Multiple choice. Examples for Anthropomorphic.Torso

Full Bodied

The torso is a fully pecked or painted; it is not an outline or a stick figure.

Outline

The torso is pecked as an outline. Head, arms and legs may be sticks or fully pecked and the torso may be stippled.

Stick

The torso is drawn as a stick, the width of the legs and arms are about the same as the width of the torso.

Stippled

The torso is textured with simple dots, dashes, or a more elaborate small pattern. The torso may or may not be outlined.

Tattoo or Paint

The torso is decorated with tattoos, paint, or a patterned garment. These are frequently repeated geometrics.

Torso Shape

Multiple choice. This attribute set describes torsos depicted with unusual shapes. Elements that are stick figures or have realistic torsos should have no attributes checked. Examples for Anthropomorphic.Torso Shape

Diamond

The torso is diamond shaped.

Elongated

The torso appears to have been intentionally elongated.

Garment

The torso appears to be covered in a garment. This may be shown as a long rectangle going down to the knees.

Hourglass

The torso is depicted in a stylistic manner similar to an hourglass.

Hump Back

The torso has a humped back.

Rectangular

The torso appears natural or rectangular.

Expanded Midriff

The torso has an expanded midriff. This is frequently shown as a circle or may incorporate a feature of the rock.

Oval

The torso is oval.

Round

The torso is round.

Tailed

The figure appears to have a costume tail.

Triangular

The torso is triangular.

Short

The torso is abnormally short.

Legs

Multiple choice. Examples for Anthropomorphic.Legs

Bent at Knee

A bend in the leg where a knee is located.

Bent at Hip

Typically a stick figure that show hips and shoulders as a small horizontal line.

Circle

The legs form a circle as if joined together at the feet.

Curved

The entire leg is curved without a distinct knee.

Straight

A straight leg in any direction.

Up

The direction of the lower leg, measured in relationship with the torso and head. Up is a very unusual position.

Down

The direction of the lower leg, measured in relationship with the torso and head.

Together

The legs appear as one wide leg, as if the legs are held tightly together.

To Side

The direction of the lower leg, measured in relationship with the torso and head.

Toeless Feet

Feet are depicted without any detail indicating toes.

Five Toes

The feet or ends of the leg are depicted with five toes.

< Five Toes

As above, but with fewer than five toes.

> Five Toes

As above, but with more than five toes.

Big Toes

The toes are abnormally long and may look like rays.

Gender

Single choice. Examples for Anthropomorphic.Gender

Male

A complete or nearly complete figure (head, torso, arms, legs) that appears to be a male.

Female

A complete or nearly complete figure (head, torso, arms, legs)that appears to be a female.

Both

There are multiple individuals and both sexes are represented or a single element has both male and female characteristics.

Phallus

Male body part depicted without head, arms, legs, or torso.

Vulva

Female body part depicted without head, arms, legs, or torso.

Facing

Single choice. Describes the direction the element is facing. Examples for Anthropomorphic.Facing

Front

The figure is facing toward the viewer and is depicted as an upright figure. This should be chosen if the figure is an silhouette and there is no indication of whether the figure is facing toward the front or back.

Back

The figure's back is toward the viewer. This should be chosen only if there is a clue that the back of the figure is shown.

Left

The figure is facing to the viewers left.

Right

The figure is facing to the viewers right.

Upward

The figure is facing upward (may be laying down).

Downward

The figure is facing downward or is upside down (may be falling).

Activity

Single choice. Describes an activity depicted by the element. If the element has no apparent activity, then no selection should be made. Examples for Anthropomorphic.Activity

Birthing

A birthing scene.

Climbing

The figure appears to be climbing.

Dancing

The figure appears to be dancing or engaged in a ceremony.

Falling

The figure appears to be falling.

Hunting

The figure appears to be hunting.

Laying Down

The figure appears to be laying down.

Playing

The figure is playing a game or musical instrument.

Running

The figure appears to be running.

Sexual

The figure appears to be engaged in a sexual act.

Sitting

The figure is sitting.

Walking

The figure is walking.

Other

The figure is engaged in an activity not defined above.

Holding

Multiple choice. These choices may be dictated by the position of the object. For example, baskets, pots, and shields are round objects held to the side or back, on the top of the head, and in front of the body respectively. Examples for Anthropomorphic.Holding

Atlatl

Throwing stick.

Basket

Usually carried on back.

Bow

With or without an arrow.

Child

Child may be at side holding hands.

Feathers

The figure appears to be holding feathers.

Flute

Stick like device from mouth, possibly bent.

Hands

As in a line of dancers holding hands or a parent holding a child's hand.

Medicine Bag

May be attached to sash on side of body.

Pot

Round object usually held on head with one or both arms held upward for balance.

Shield

Round object held in from of body.

Snake

Snakes may be held in the hand or mouth.

Spear

Usually held horizontal in a throwing position.

Staff

Usually held vertical and may have an ornamental decoration on top.

Other

Anything not described above.

Appendage

Multiple choice. The element has one or more appendages. These boxes should not be checked if the feature could be better described as wearing a head ornament, holding a snake, etc.

Head

An appendage is attached to the head.

Shoulder

An appendage is attached to the shoulder.

Arm

An appendage is attached to the arm.

Hand

An appendage is attached to the hand.

Torso

An appendage is attached to the torso.

Leg

An appendage is attached to the leg.

Foot

An appendage is attached to the foot.

Group Size

Single choice. Multiple figures are grouped into a single element when they are depicted holding hands or a rope, etc. Examples for Anthropomorphic.Group Size

Two

Two figures.

Three

Three figures.

Four

Four figures.

Five

Five figures.

Six-Ten

Six to ten figures.

>Ten

More than ten figures.

Proposed Changes

If you have suggestions which add, delete, combine attributes or change the word used to define an attribute, then please copy the entire current attribute set definition above, including the attribute set heading to the end of this page and edit your copy. If you wish to make a comment below your improved version (or someone else's improved version), add a horizontal rule and then your comment.

Minor changes in agreement with the someone's proposed changes should be made directly to the text, competing versions should be documented as complete revised copies including the heading.

To add a new attribute set, create it exactly as it should appear. For suggestions on sequence changes, create an appropriate heading below and add a comment. For other types of changes, innovate.

All documentation should be written for the target audience of volunteer rock art recorders.