Petroglyphs are ancient rock carvings created by pecking or scratching designs into stone surfaces.
For the Hohokam people, who thrived in the Southwest over 500 years ago, these carvings likely held deep cultural, spiritual, or practical meanings.
They may have been used to record events, mark significant locations, convey messages, or express religious beliefs. Many petroglyphs, like this one, feature animals. This ‘glyph likely represents either a desert bighorn sheep, or a mule deer.
I viewed this petroglyph atop a small desert hill. While the Hohokam were farmers who grew crops along the banks of the Salt River near what is now Phoenix, they often went into the hills to hunt.
Perhaps this carving was etched at a favorite location to hunt sheep or deer. Or perhaps the artist simply wanted to document the majesty of a desert beast. We will never know, but it sure is cool.
As you can see, modern visitors have scratched their own markings on this panel. I also saw evidence of people shooting firearms at the petroglyphs here. As such, I won’t be publicly offering the location of this piece.
If you come across petroglyphs, please leave them undisturbed to preserve them for the education and enjoyment of future explorers.
That’s it for today. I hope you have a great week!
-Jake
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