The next morning after enjoying the sunrise
we were up for a short hike up to a nearby petroglyphs location. We drove a short distance and continued by foot.
What a gorgeous day for a walk in the desert!
I was distracted by the abundance of agates on the way, my eyes to the ground, when I realized that I was talking to a cactus while Tony was way ahead of me.
We left the bajada and started climbing the side of the mountain.
We could see the van parked down below.
A short way up we came upon a large boulder covered with petroglyphs.
and another, smaller one, nearby.
We tried to find information about these petroglyphs, but couldn’t find any, so their date and meaning remains unknown. Dating petroglyphs can be by association to other artifacts or sites nearby and by measuring the patina on them.
It’s hard to tell whether the boulder was part of the cliffs towering above (look back at the first photo), or carved in place after tumbling down.
What story are they telling? There are many interpretations by archaeologists, anthropologists, and historians, some, with little evidence. In many cases we see recognizable figures, but we don’t know what story or teaching they meant to tell.
What do you see in these rocks?
We went up a mountain and now we started making our way down the hill (bonus points if it made you laugh and you saw the movie)
Saw some cows roaming in this open range zone.
I still had eyes to the ground looking for rocks when I started spotting artifacts. At first it was a few chert flakes and as I started focussing my search, I found a large cluster of flakes. This was a site, which is not surprising given it’s proximity to the petroglyphs.
I know what I will find next, and there it was, a broken projectile point made from a beautiful pink and white chert. The flintknapper was probably very upset when it broke!
We will forward this information to the BLM archaeologist just in case they are not aware of this site.
And that was the cool find of the day.
If you want to read about our other trip to Arizona and the the petroglyphs (and other stories), you read it here.
Next stop: Quartzsite.
You always amaze me with what you find on your hikes! The desert has beautiful sunrises. I am looking forward to your next part.
Haha, I guess I can’t turn the archaeologist off!
You guys find the most interesting places to visit—in true Margie and Tony form, a little more off the beaten path. I mean, who wants to do what everyone else is doing?
It is interesting to me that we still pay attention to our past careers even as we continue to enjoy retirement and the freedom that comes with that.
It’s true that we pay attention to past careers, but I also think that we are attracted to places that present these opportunities to us. I hope that the weather in California is not affecting you where you are!
Super cool hike, Margie! You certainly have a good eye for the unusual, so it’s no wonder that you had your head down. Had to laugh when you said you were talking to a cactus. Mike and I are very interested in petroglyphs, so this would be a hike that we would love. Thank you for sharing your adventure with us!
There are so many petroglyph sites in the southwest! You will love the area in general. It was more of a short walk, but rewarding. Thanks for coming along!
What an interesting place, too bad there’s no information on it. I often find myself talking to Richard thinking he’s near but he’s gone off in a completely different way! Maggie
Haha, yeah, I sometime talk to random men by mistake…it was my first time talking to a cactus though 😊
🤣🤣
Are you guys ready for the rain,Sunday thru Tues?
We are now in Kingman. Hopefully the rain will not be too bad where we are!
What an interesting spot. I am envisioning an early version of Van Gough’s Starry Night in those petroglyphs.
that’s an interesting interpretation! They were not meant to be art but rather a story or a map. Map of the sky?
What a beautiful walk! I did not get the movie reference. Which one was it?
I did have a laugh at the cactus comment. I wonder what it says about your husband’s personality that you got him mixed up with one? 😆😂
He is the total opposite of a cactus. The movie is The man who walked up a hill and came down a mountain. A cute movie, but I reversed the order 🙂
I love this! So much history all around you – even if its not clear what history it is telling!
Indeed! There is also a lot of movie making history in these parts!
I’ve been meaning to see petroglyphs during my numerous trips to the desert, but for some reason, they seem to elude me…the ones you saw look stunning, and I’m keen on trying to return to try again!
There are many sites that are simply breathtaking. I
hope you get to see some. Just googlemap petroglyphs and see what you get!
Oh my word. It would be so good to do a walk like that with you as a guide to explain a few things.
I don’t know if I would make a good guide, but would have loved your company!
Same.
See this if you are at a loss for reading matter.
https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/first-rock-art#:~:text=Petroglyphs%20(rock%20engravings)%20and%20pictographs,Territory's%20Kakadu%20National%20Park%20alone.
Thanks! These are a lot older than what we find on this continent. Very cool.
Was nice to be in Arizona with you. . My husband and I did a lot of hiking when we lived on the Navajo Indian Reservation. There is a lot of rugged country out there to see. Enjoyed your post.
I didn’t know that you lived on a Navajo reservation. Did you write about it? There is so much to see and such vast distances. I get why people use ATVs to get around…
I never wrote about the reservation – we lived there 18 years. It was actually like living in a foreign country.
How interesting!
Like!
Love!
These petroglyphs look pretty well preserved. The ones in Southern Alberta get harder and harder to see over time. Thanks for sharing. Allan
I had the same thought. I guess the climate is. lot different in this desert.
Arizona caught my attention..thanks for sharing this idea .Anita
Haha, Arizona always catches my attention!
I know Tony isn’t as prickly as the cactus! It sounds like you are having a good time in AZ. I enjoyed the virtual hike!
He really isn’t! Glad you came along!
How cool to find that broken arrowhead! And petroglyphs are always fun to look at. I know all the experts have different theories about what they mean but I always wonder if many of them aren’t just random graffiti.
So cool to be able to visit off the beaten paths! I love wandering around and finding different things too, how fun is that😊
Right? My favourite thing to do!
I love all the cacti and desert landscape. How fun to find some petroglyphs. It’s too bad that there isn’t more information about them, including what they mean.
We just have to accept the fact that some things may never be known to us 🙂
I have to believe if I was on this tour, at some point I’d be talking to the cactus life as well. I love them, and would certainly enjoy seeing them in their natural habitat. Congrats on that cool find of the day – well done!
Haha, thank you!
I love those “if rocks could talk” moments
Haha, we do too!
The petroglyphs are fascinating. You found some interesting things while looking at the ground, but don’t walk into a cactus!
I love petroglyphs and finding artifacts, and you are right, I have to be careful or
i will walk into prickly things 🙂