Labyrinth Petroglyph, Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico, USA. © Jeff Saward/Labyrinthos.
According to Jeff & Kimberly Saward, the editors of labyrinthos.net:
The occurrence of the labyrinth symbol in the American Southwest is both widespread and shrouded in mystery. How, and more importantly when, the symbol first reached this region is unclear. However, it forms an important theme in the traditional stories of the Hopi, Akimel O’odham, Tohono O’odham and Yaqui peoples. Labyrinth petroglyphs found throughout Arizona, New Mexico and the northern states of Mexico are difficult to date, but provide the earliest evidence for labyrinths in the Southwest. Today the labyrinth remains popular and is found as the familiar “Man in the Maze” motif on hand woven baskets, silverwork and pottery produced by the native peoples of Arizona, especially the Tohono O’odham and Navajo.
