Monday, September 7, 2009

McConkie Ranch Petroglyphs






There are lots of little sand lizards running around , notice the one on the sign?








The McConkie Ranch Petroglyphs are world famous and have been studied by no less than the Smithsonian Institute. They are etched into Navaho Sandstone by the Fremont Indians somewhere between 1 - 1200 AD. Nothing quite like nailing down the time frame.
The owners of the McConkie Ranch graciously allow the public to visit any time and for free. It's just another bonus of living in my neighborhood. I visited a few weeks ago when it was very hot and late in the afternoon. The lighting wasn't the best for pictures but it was just about the only time I could take off to go up there. There are many more petroglyphs in this area if you have the time to look. Unfortunately I was short on time and without my knee braces so it was a relatively short hike that day. Maybe you'll have to come see for yourself!
For more fascinating things to see around the world, check out My World Tuesday.

17 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Cool pictures! Thansk for sharing!

Sylvia K said...

Terrific and very interesting shots! I do understand about knee braces, too! But it does look like a fascinating place and I would love to visit!

Have a great week!

Sylvia

Anonymous said...

Those are really interesting. I really like to see programs on television that explore places like this one.

Thanks for helping me to make history.
Pick a Peck of Pixels

Carver said...

What a fascinating place to vist. You're so lucky to have it close by and thanks for showing it to us.

Snap said...

I've always been fascinated by petroglyphs. Thanks for sharing these. Love the color of the landscape and the critters!

NatureFootstep said...

looks like a place I´d like to visit. Thanks for sharing :)

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

MM: That was such an interesting post of all the famous markings.

Janie said...

Great captures of the lizards and the petroglyphs!

Gaelyn said...

Wow, what a cool place. That's an amazing amount of antlers. I love to see the little lizards. And the petroglyphs I always find facinating. How nice of these folks to allow people to visit for free.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

That would be a fabulous trip, Loran. I'd love to see the petroglyphs myself. Talk about HISTORY... Wow!!!

Hugs,
Betsy

restoration42 said...

Wonderful photos, petroglyphs always touch my heart and imagination - the long lasting works of an ancient artist. Thanks for sharing them with us.

Linda said...

Others have already said 'fascinating', but I'll say it again. It must give you quite a shiver to see these up close.

Arija said...

Thank you, this post was really interesting as well as beautiful scenically.

J said...

Those lizards really do blend into the background. Petroglyph shots are very intersting, I'm always a sucker for a bit of native americana. ;)

Barb said...

It would be so interesting to know exactly what the Native Americans were communicating with these pictures. I've been to areas of petroglyphs in UT and have always felt amazed by how long the pictures have survived on the rock.

Larry D said...

Wow, great shots, its very nice that these folks let others visit.

diane b said...

Very interesting rock art, reminds me of our aboriginal art.