Petroglyph or Pictograph?

A Petroglyph is when the artwork is carved into the rock.

So there you are out hiking any trail in the southwest and you come across rock art left behind by some primitive peoples for a reason and meaning that is still under much debate. But do you know what you are looking at?

Do you know the difference between a petroglyph and a pictograph?

After centuries in the sun sandstone gets a dark finish to the exterior and a Petroglyph is where that thin dark layer is scraped away revealing the lighter stone below. A pictograph is when the artwork is created by applying some sort of paint or other shading medium. The native Puebloan peoples have been quite prodigious in their rock art and architecture. You will find many examples throughout the southwest. Miss Lynn and I have seen a few examples first hand over the years and would like to share them with you. I never thought I would be doing a whole page dedicated just to them so these first offerings are not really organized but they will get better as we add more.

A Pictograph is when the artwork has been painted onto the rock.

These first images are from past adventures and we should have some new offerings soon.

Redrock Canyon, Nevada

Redrock Canyon is located just outside of Las Vegas Nevada and it is one of the few places I have found that has both Pictographs and petroglyphs. Take the 13 mile scenic drive where you will find many turn offs and parking areas that take you to some great hiking trails. Many of these have great rockart examples.

Click on any image to enlarge.

Valley of Fire, Nevada

Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada. You can find these petroglyphs at the atl atl rock. You can easily tell the modern vandalism from the actual historic petroglyph. It is a shame people have to screw up what belongs to everybody.

Click on any image to enlarge.

Newspaper Rock State Monument, Utah

Newspaper Rock State Monument, Utah

Located along the Indian Creek cooridor scenic byway (S.R. 211) about 15 miles west of US 191. It is one of the largest panels or petroglyphs known and some of the markings go back 2000 years.

Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument - Wikipedia

Dinosaur National Park, Utah

Dinosaur National Park, Vernal Utah

Besides Dinosaur bones, you will find evidence of prehistoric man here. And he has left his mark all over this park. Here you will find both pictographs and petroglyphs.

Click on any image to enlarge.

Black Dragon Wash Trail