Most of the papers published in this volume were originally presented in February 1995 at the first Trans-Pecos Rock Art Symposium in Alpine, Texas, hosted by Sul Ross State University and cosponsored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the university.

The idea for the symposium was conceived by the participants of a rock art recording expedition to Big Bend Ranch State Park in 1993, sponsored by the TPWD and organized and led by J. David Ing, the Regional Cultural Resource Coordinator.