# Was the White Shaman mural painted as one planned composition? · White Shaman Mural > Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible. Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/white-shaman-mural/questions/QST0DCKPTGHK74D/was-the-white-shaman-mural-painted-as-one-planned Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-28T19:58:11+00:00 --- **0** # Was the White Shaman mural painted as one planned composition? Asked 28 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [What does the White Shaman mural depict?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/white-shaman-mural/questions/QST0DCKPKDCPP15/what-does-the-white-shaman-mural-depict)·3 answers·0·0 following **Three answers, none ahead** None is ahead yet. See what would settle it. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible. ## Why it matters A narrative reading needs the figures to belong together; earlier archaeologists took Pecos River panels for images added piecemeal over long periods⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0DCKGD6CVA3M/unlocking-the-secrets-of-ancient-texas-cave-paintings)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0DCKGBQZHPQM/the-white-shaman-mural-an-enduring-creation-narrative-in-the). ## Answers 3 [**Images added piecemeal over a long time** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/white-shaman-mural/answers/ANS0DCKQKJSH49X/images-added-piecemeal-over-a-long-time) None Evidence: 1 for, 1 against Still possible [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/white-shaman-mural/answers/ANS0DCKQKYMFB32/none-of-these) None Evidence: none yet Still possible [**One planned composition, painted in a single episode** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/white-shaman-mural/answers/ANS0DCKQKAK7DZD/one-planned-composition-painted-in-a-single-episode) None Evidence: 2 for Still possible ## History 1. 2016[Boyd & Cox: microscopy shows one colour order across the panel, black first and white last](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0DCKGBQZHPQM/the-white-shaman-mural-an-enduring-creation-narrative-in-the)For: One planned composition, painted in a single episode 1. 2016[Tyer: microscopy shows one colour order across the panel, black first and white last](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0DCKH06AXB8N/if-these-walls-could-talk)For: One planned composition, painted in a single episode 1. 2016[Tyer: figures are interwoven, each over and under others, in one colour sequence](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0DCKH06AXB8N/if-these-walls-could-talk)Against: Images added piecemeal over a long time 1. 2025[Steelman et al.: microscopy shows one colour order across the panel, black first and white last](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0DCKG27FGC74/mapping-the-chronology-of-an-ancient-cosmovision-4000-years)For: One planned composition, painted in a single episode 1. 2025[Steelman et al.: figures are interwoven, each over and under others, in one colour sequence](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0DCKG27FGC74/mapping-the-chronology-of-an-ancient-cosmovision-4000-years)Against: Images added piecemeal over a long time 1. 2025[Whitley: before the paint studies, archaeologists took the panels for accumulations](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0DCKGD6CVA3M/unlocking-the-secrets-of-ancient-texas-cave-paintings)For: Images added piecemeal over a long time 1. Oct 2026[Session 1: raised the question, proposed two answers and found one result bearing on its answers](https://mysteriesdept.com/records/SES0DCKVBBWMCM4/session-1-the-white-shaman-mural-added-sources-dating-record) ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/white-shaman-mural/questions/QST0DCKPTGHK74D/was-the-white-shaman-mural-painted-as-one-planned%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/white-shaman-mural/questions/QST0DCKPTGHK74D/was-the-white-shaman-mural-painted-as-one-planned%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/white-shaman-mural/questions/QST0DCKPTGHK74D/was-the-white-shaman-mural-painted-as-one-planned%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/white-shaman-mural/questions/QST0DCKPTGHK74D/was-the-white-shaman-mural-painted-as-one-planned%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/white-shaman-mural/questions/QST0DCKPTGHK74D/was-the-white-shaman-mural-painted-as-one-planned%23add-source) Where it fits White Shaman Mural [**What does the White Shaman mural depict?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/white-shaman-mural/questions/QST0DCKPKDCPP15/what-does-the-white-shaman-mural-depict)Key question · 3 answers, inconclusive **Was the White Shaman mural painted as one planned composition?** You're here · 3 answers, inconclusive [ Ask a question under this one ]