rock art presentation 8

8/3/2019 Rock Art Presentation 8

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Poster Proves a Prophesy:

The Loss of a Local Treasure

Poster Proves a Prophesy:

The Loss of a Local Treasure



A new Wyoming Rock Art exhibit is on display in the lower gallery of the

Sweetwater County Historical Museum. The exhibit, sponsored by the Newcastle

Field Office of Bureau of Land Management (BLM), was created to travel to

communities throughout Wyoming.

A new Wyoming Rock Art exhibit is on display in the lower gallery of the

Sweetwater County Historical Museum. The exhibit, sponsored by the Newcastle

Field Office of Bureau of Land Management (BLM), was created to travel to

communities throughout Wyoming.



The exhibit is organized by commonly asked questions, such as ³What is rock art?´

Rock art was painted on or indented into the rock surface by battering, incising, or

abrading the rock.

The exhibit is organized by commonly asked questions, such as ³What is rock art?´

Rock art was painted on or indented into the rock surface by battering, incising, or

abrading the rock.



Rock art in Wyoming dates from the end of the Ice Age to the early historic era and

includes a rich variety of images made by Native Americans. Rock art changes a

natural landscape into a sacred place where Native Americans conducted religious

ceremonies. These sites are still considered sacred by tribal members.

Rock art in Wyoming dates from the end of the Ice Age to the early historic era and

includes a rich variety of images made by Native Americans. Rock art changes a

natural landscape into a sacred place where Native Americans conducted religious

ceremonies. These sites are still considered sacred by tribal members.



The Traveling Rock Art Exhibit features petroglyphs and paintings from across

Wyoming. The exhibit was developed not only for public education and enjoyment,

but also to teach Wyoming residents about their rich cultural heritage.

The Traveling Rock Art Exhibit features petroglyphs and paintings from across

Wyoming. The exhibit was developed not only for public education and enjoyment,

but also to teach Wyoming residents about their rich cultural heritage.



The exhibit also explains that rock art is fragile and can be easily damaged by

people touching or scratching it. Damaging the images destroys the sacred place

and everyone¶s enjoyment of the rock art.

The exhibit also explains that rock art is fragile and can be easily damaged by

people touching or scratching it. Damaging the images destroys the sacred place

and everyone¶s enjoyment of the rock art.



The BLM is charged with managing most of Wyoming's rock art sites, including

the White Mountain Petroglyphs site. The BLM hopes that the exhibit will

enhance people's appreciation of rock art and encourage them to protect this

vulnerable resource.

The BLM is charged with managing most of Wyoming's rock art sites, including

the White Mountain Petroglyphs site. The BLM hopes that the exhibit will

enhance people's appreciation of rock art and encourage them to protect this

vulnerable resource.



White Mountain Petroglyph SiteWhite Mountain Petroglyph Site



The White Mountain Petroglyphs were created by Native Americans during the

Historic and Late Historic Periods 200 to 1,000 years ago. A pproximately 26 miles

northeast of Rock Springs, it is only one of many rock art sites in Sweetwater

County, Wyoming.

The White Mountain Petroglyphs were created by Native Americans during the

Historic and Late Historic Periods 200 to 1,000 years ago. A pproximately 26 miles

northeast of Rock Springs, it is only one of many rock art sites in Sweetwater

County, Wyoming.



The White Mountain Petroglyphs were etched into the soft sandstone bedrock of

the Upper Wasatch Geological Formation. The cliff containing the petroglyphs

faces south and runs west to east. It is about 300 feet long and varies in height from

10 feet at the west end to 40 feet at the east end.

The White Mountain Petroglyphs were etched into the soft sandstone bedrock of

the Upper Wasatch Geological Formation. The cliff containing the petroglyphs

faces south and runs west to east. It is about 300 feet long and varies in height from

10 feet at the west end to 40 feet at the east end.



The petroglyphs are 30 to 60 inches above the current ground level. Etched into the

stone surface are drawings of elk, buffalo, horses, teepees and several kinds of

human figures, including riders with feather headdresses. Several figures appear to

portray hunting scenes while others depict geometric forms or tiny footprints.

The petroglyphs are 30 to 60 inches above the current ground level. Etched into the

stone surface are drawings of elk, buffalo, horses, teepees and several kinds of

human figures, including riders with feather headdresses. Several figures appear to

portray hunting scenes while others depict geometric forms or tiny footprints.



Handprints are worn into the rock as well, providing visitors with a compelling

connection to those who used the site long ago. Oops, don¶t touch!

Handprints are worn into the rock as well, providing visitors with a compelling

connection to those who used the site long ago. Oops, don¶t touch!



Before white settlers arrived, several bands of Native American people, who may

have included the Shoshone, Arapaho, and Ute people, inhabited regions of the

Red Desert. While we may not understand the exact meaning of the petroglyphs,

tribal elders have stated that this site was and still is considered sacred to them.

Visitors to the White Mountain Petroglyphs should view the site with respect.

Before white settlers arrived, several bands of Native American people, who may

have included the Shoshone, Arapaho, and Ute people, inhabited regions of the

Red Desert. While we may not understand the exact meaning of the petroglyphs,

tribal elders have stated that this site was and still is considered sacred to them.

Visitors to the White Mountain Petroglyphs should view the site with respect.



Unlike many archaeological sites, the White Mountain Petroglpyhs are open to the

public for viewing. The BLM recommends that travelers visit the site in a vehicle

with high clearance during good weather.

Unlike many archaeological sites, the White Mountain Petroglpyhs are open to the

public for viewing. The BLM recommends that travelers visit the site in a vehicle

with high clearance during good weather.



The site only has a parking lot and bathroom, so take plenty of food and water,

and travel with a full tank of gas. Be sure to look for the Boar ¶s Tusk volcanic

formation to your right after turning at the White Mountain Petroglyph sign.

The site only has a parking lot and bathroom, so take plenty of food and water,

and travel with a full tank of gas. Be sure to look for the Boar ¶s Tusk volcanic

formation to your right after turning at the White Mountain Petroglyph sign.



Directions: From Rock Springs, take U.S. Highway 191 north for 10.5 miles and

turn right on Tri-Territory Road (County Rd. 4-17). Continue another 10 miles and

turn left at the White Mountain Petroglyph sign. Go approximately 3 miles before

reaching a parking lot with a gate. It is about 1/3 mile walk to the petroglyphs.

Directions: From Rock Springs, take U.S. Highway 191 north for 10.5 miles and

turn right on Tri-Territory Road (County Rd. 4-17). Continue another 10 miles and

turn left at the White Mountain Petroglyph sign. Go approximately 3 miles before

reaching a parking lot with a gate. It is about 1/3 mile walk to the petroglyphs.



Poster proves to be a prophecyPoster proves to be a prophecy



This poster was published in 1989 to raise public awareness and discourage

vandalism of archaeological sites. Unfortunately, the very petroglyph featured on

this poster was destroyed in 1992.

This poster was published in 1989 to raise public awareness and discourage

vandalism of archaeological sites. Unfortunately, the very petroglyph featured on

this poster was destroyed in 1992.



BLM officials assumed that vandals intentionally destroyed the petroglyph.

The Rocket Miner reported that the BLM was conducting an investigation to "find a

perpetrator who faces a maximum $250,000 fine and five years in jail under the

Archaeological Resources ProtectionAct of 1979." The article also stated "the BLM

is considering offering a reward for information leading to a conviction."

BLM officials assumed that vandals intentionally destroyed the petroglyph.

The Rocket Miner reported that the BLM was conducting an investigation to "find a

perpetrator who faces a maximum $250,000 fine and five years in jail under the

Archaeological Resources ProtectionAct of 1979." The article also stated "the BLM

is considering offering a reward for information leading to a conviction."



After a Rock Springs resident read the headlines, she contacted the BLM

office to report that she had witnessed the destruction. The witness stated that it

occurred on July 25, 1992, when she and her husband were visiting the site with

their friends from Wisconsin.

After a Rock Springs resident read the headlines, she contacted the BLM

office to report that she had witnessed the destruction. The witness stated that it

occurred on July 25, 1992, when she and her husband were visiting the site with

their friends from Wisconsin.



The Rock Springs woman stated that her Wisconsin visitor was standing by the

petroglyph when she lost her balance and fell to the ground, accidentally pulling

down a portion of the rock. The BLM interviewed the Wisconsin woman, but no

charges were filed against her.

The Rock Springs woman stated that her Wisconsin visitor was standing by the

petroglyph when she lost her balance and fell to the ground, accidentally pulling

down a portion of the rock. The BLM interviewed the Wisconsin woman, but no

charges were filed against her.



Fragments of the damaged petroglyph were recovered by the BLM and have been

on exhibit in the Sweetwater County Historical Museum for several years. In an

effort to visually "put the petroglyph back together", the remaining identifiable

fragments will be imbedded into a life-size photograph taken of the site before the

damage occurred. However, stabilization may be needed before installation.

Fragments of the damaged petroglyph were recovered by the BLM and have been

on exhibit in the Sweetwater County Historical Museum for several years. In an

effort to visually "put the petroglyph back together", the remaining identifiable

fragments will be imbedded into a life-size photograph taken of the site before the

damage occurred. However, stabilization may be needed before installation.



Museum visitors will soon see this fascinating prehistoric art as it was viewed

when intact at the White Mountain Petroglyphs site. There will be a press release

when the exhibit is completed. We also plan to host speakers and conduct field

trips to visit rock art sites in Sweetwater County.

Museum visitors will soon see this fascinating prehistoric art as it was viewed

when intact at the White Mountain Petroglyphs site. There will be a press release

when the exhibit is completed. We also plan to host speakers and conduct field

trips to visit rock art sites in Sweetwater County.

rock art presentation 8

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