Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs Archeological District

Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs Archeological District is an ancient carving site containing over 650 petroglyphs etched into dark stone surfaces across a large area. The carved images depict animals, human figures, and geometric designs that represent different periods of creative work on the rock.

Native Americans created these carvings between 1000 and 1500 CE by etching symbols into the stone surfaces over centuries. The site later became incorporated within Petrified Forest National Park as a protected archaeological area for future generations to study.

The carvings reveal how ancient people communicated through symbols and images rather than written words. Walking through the site, you notice how the figures and marks created a shared language that transcended spoken communication.

You will view the petroglyphs from an elevated viewing platform equipped with telescopes for closer inspection of the carvings. The actual rock surface remains restricted to preserve the ancient engravings and prevent further damage from foot traffic.

The site spreads across a large area where petroglyphs may have served as a calendar system or territorial markers for different groups. Some carved patterns reveal what researchers believe could be astronomical observations or community boundary markers still visible today.