Petroglyph Provincial Park, Provincial park in Nanaimo, Canada
Petroglyph Provincial Park sits at the southern edge of Nanaimo and protects sandstone surfaces carved with numerous Indigenous rock art near the Nanaimo River estuary. The 2-hectare site includes interpretive panels and concrete casts that help visitors understand the original carvings.
The park was established in 1948 to preserve rock art created by First Nations people dating back at least to the 10th century. These carvings were made at specific locations near waterfalls and natural formations considered spiritually powerful by the original inhabitants.
The rock carvings show mythological sea creatures, wolves, and human figures that held spiritual meaning for the Coast Salish and Snuneymuxw First Nations people who lived here.
The park is easy to reach via a pull-off from Highway 1 about 3 kilometers south of Nanaimo. Visitors will find interpretive boards on-site, though parking is limited and you explore the area on foot at your own pace.
The carvings are positioned at specific sites connected to natural features like waterfalls and distinctive rock formations that were considered spiritually significant. This careful placement reveals how First Nations artists integrated their beliefs with the landscape itself.
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