Sunday, May 22, 2016

Stunning Rock Art

The most spectacular and perfectly preserved petroglyphs I've ever seen are at the McConkie ranch in the Dry Fork Canyon. around half an hour from Vernal, Utah. This morning we took the very steep climb, and rather long walk along narrow ledges that allows one to view them, some from incredibly up close, others by looking up the cliff face. The Utah Historic Site sign at the ranch, which is private property, states that the petroglyphs there are "Classic Vernal Style rock art, characterized by elaborately decorated anthropomorphic figures. This style may be affiliated with the Fremont Culture and probably dates to the period A.D. 1 to 1200."

Climbing up the trail.
Rock art at this site includes both animals and human figures.





A few of the petroglyphs include colored-in areas.


A modern example of rock art up the road from the McConkie ranch,
originally begun in 1899.

2 comments:

Debra Eliotseats said...

I am so envious of all your travels lately, Mae!

Barbara said...

Mae...love your photos today. The rock art, old and new, is fascinating. One can't help but imagine who did them, what times were like then and read the stories they tell.