Leo Petroglyph, Archaeological site in Ray, Ohio, United States
The Leo Petroglyph is an archaeological site featuring 37 ancient carvings on a flat sandstone slab depicting humans, birds, footprints, fish, and snakes. The carvings are protected by a shelter, and the site includes a half-mile walking trail through a gorge and picnic areas for visitors.
The carvings were created about 1,000 years ago by members of the Fort Ancient culture who lived in this region of Ohio. These stone carvings represent some of the surviving evidence of this ancient society and their time in the area.
The carvings depict figures that reflect the connection between early inhabitants and the natural world, showing spiritual and everyday elements of their lives. Visitors can observe how these images of people, animals, and ritual scenes capture what mattered most to the community that made them.
The site is easily accessible with a protective shelter covering the carvings and ample space for visitors to view them. The adjacent nature trail through the gorge helps visitors understand the landscape and provides a good way to explore the surrounding area during a visit.
The original carvings have been traced with charcoal to make them more visible for visitors today. This enhancement allows people to see the details of the ancient work more clearly when walking through the site.
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