The Petroglyphs of the San Rafael Swell are incredible. They are very well preserved, perhaps in part to the remoteness of the area. Nobody knows the meanings behind these petroglyphs. Any theories? Are these space travelers? Are these pictures of their Gods? Your guess is as good as mine! The Anasazi Indians lived all over the 4 corners region for 1000's of years. Then suddenly, about 800 years ago they moved away, they left their belongings, and stores of food, and vanished. Theories as to why range from a severe drought that has been documented by tree ring dating, to having a hostile tribe that they could not defeat move into the area. My personal feeling is that the drought must have driven them off. Take a look at my Hovenweep page, to see how well protected they built their homes. That is of course just my opinion. No one really knows for sure.
Petroglyphs are pictures that are chiseled into the rocks, Pictographs are pictures that are painted onto the rocks. The Anasazi, did both. There are petroglyph and pictograph panels all over this area. They also use pictographs to decorate their homes. It is not unusual to find white hand prints decorating the walls of the Anasazi ruins. Is this for decorations sake only? Or did some ancient Mom put her childs hand prints on the wall to record their babies growth, just as modern Mom's have little hash marks on their walls? Or could they be of a Spiritual Nature? I am looking for a picture for here of hand prints so if any has one they'd like to share.....I have now found some pictures of hand prints(NEW! 9/23/98). Please take a look! If you want to visit a ruin that HAS these decorations, there is a great ruin near Bluff Utah. Stop in at the Recapture Lodge and ask directions to the 14 windows ruin. There are many hand prints decorating this ruin. Many of the handprints are from babies and small children. (the reason for my theory *grin*)
If you choose to visit the San Rafael Swell area, or for that matter any part of the 4 corners, please remember to respect the antiquities of this area. Do not pick up anything that you may find. Don't dig. It damages the ruins as well as being illeagle. Take only pictures of the petroglyphs you may find. They are very fragile, and rubbings damage the panels. We have an incredible, unspoiled resource here, lets respect it, and leave it this pristine for the next visitors. Now and forever *amen*.
Many thanks to John Misage for letting me use his photos. His pages have TONS more pictures and info than I have here. Please go visit him! Utah's Head of Sinbad Thanks again John, Little Feather
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