Project 365 – #106
Today, we stopped by Painted Rock Petroglyph Site which is located near Gila Bend, Az. (We were on our way home from the Phoenix Gluten Free Expo – more about that later.) A petroglyph is basically a symbolic or artistic rock etching. Usually, you’ll only see a few here and there – if you’re fortunate to be able to find/see them. At this location, there are literally hundreds of etchings.
Why are there so many in one location? Well, this area was a well traveled path for many people including expedition of Juan Bautista de Anza that founded San Francisco, the Mormon Battalion and the Butterfield Overland Mail. The petroglyphs include etchings from natives to the region as well as those passing through over the years.
The flat short trail (loop) takes you around the main rock location and includes several stopping points with information tidbits.
While we very much enjoyed our visit as it was very cool to see so many petroglyphs that spanned such a large time period in one location, we’re glad that we didn’t make the long drive over here from our home just to visit the location. It was a great side-trip on our way home.
Very cool. We have a petroglyph site out here in Albuquerque which we visited a few years ago. Excellent fuel for the imagination!
Briana recently posted..Book Review- How to be Gods Little Princess by Sheila Walsh
That is so awesome! My son was learning about this not too long ago in history. We would love to see the burial mounds in Ohio. I lived there for many years and was oblivious to them! Perhaps the petroglyphs are one more reason I should visit AZ 🙂
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fascinating 🙂
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Oh so very cool!