Throughout
the Southwest there are treasure throves of ancient writings -- writings with
symbols -- writings on the only "paper" of the time, the rocks. They are called
petroglyphs and rock art. Their meaning is not clear. Some may have several
meanings. They give us a chance to go back many centuries and touch the souls of those who wandered the Western U. S.
Rock art, or petroglyphs, are chiseled or engraved into the surface of rock. They'd often choose rock with a natural dark coating. This coating is referred to as desert varnish and varies from brown to black. It is believed to be iron and magnesium salts from dead bacteria leached to the surface of the rock over many years. This made a great contrast for the artists to engraved their images.
