Photos taken from our travels, this is Newspaper Rock, a petroglyph panel that is etched in sandstone and records the activities of early man over 2,000 years ago. Tes' Hane is what the Navajo call it, "rock that tells a story". There are no known ways of correctly identifying the age of this panel or what the actual meanings are, although by viewing it, it seems some of the etchings speak for themselves. The area is right next to Utah Route 211, 24 miles northwest of Monticello on the main road into the Needles section of Canyonlands National Park. This is one of the finest displays of Indian rock art to be found anywhere in the U.S. This is also one of the few petroglyph sites that is so easily accessible and can be viewed and photographed.

[GeoJerry]

Bob that's fantastic. Never heard of this place, now I want to go see it! How are the drawings made? Some kind of tan colored "ink," or, as it looks to me, they've just scraped off the black crust on the surface of the rock?

[Bruce Clark]

There are quite a few stories in that rock wall. Quite a few symbols that seem common place now even a $ sign.

[eaglem]

Did I see artwork of Bart Simpson in the first shot????????????

[PJ1]

There are some interesting images. A native American on a horse can't be more than 500 years old. Desert bighorn sheep. Mule deer. Something that could represent a wagon wheel. Most interesting for me, towards the top left in the first and third pics there is something that looks like a flying squirrel. There would be no flying squirrels in that area now and I would say probably not for hundreds of years. Thanks for posting these, Bob.

[luftfluss]

Love these documentary images, Bob. The drawing are very interesting, and the photos are so sharp we can see the texture. Really !

[Canis]

Wow! Very cool! Really stimulates the imagination.

[RoxnDox]

Bob that's fantastic. Never heard of this place, now I want to go see it! How are the drawings made? Some kind of tan colored "ink," or, as it looks to me, they've just scraped off the black crust on the surface of the rock?

The images were made by scratching off a thin, black crust of manganese and other minerals that formed on the surface of the light-colored sandstone. Google "desert varnish" (link)

Jim

[Bob Harris]

Bob that's fantastic. Never heard of this place, now I want to go see it! How are the drawings made? Some kind of tan colored "ink," or, as it looks to me, they've just scraped off the black crust on the surface of the rock?

The images were made by scratching off a thin, black crust of manganese and other minerals that formed on the surface of the light-colored sandstone. Google "desert varnish" (link)

Jim

Fortunately for us Jerry, Jim gave us the answer and a link too. Thanks to both of you.

---------- Post added 07-17-15 at 10:50 AM ----------

There are quite a few stories in that rock wall. Quite a few symbols that seem common place now even a $ sign.

I think there is a bit of graffiti mixed in there Bruce, this area wasn't protected until '61 I think, so who knows what is completely authentic I guess.

[Bob Harris]

Did I see artwork of Bart Simpson in the first shot????????????

I think so EM, he traveled with the ancients through this area.

---------- Post added 07-17-15 at 01:42 PM ----------

There are some interesting images. A native American on a horse can't be more than 500 years old. Desert bighorn sheep. Mule deer. Something that could represent a wagon wheel. Most interesting for me, towards the top left in the first and third pics there is something that looks like a flying squirrel. There would be no flying squirrels in that area now and I would say probably not for hundreds of years. Thanks for posting these, Bob.

Point taken on the horses, I don't think they were introduced at this time and it wasn't until the 1500's by the Spanish that visited the US. It's too bad our native American tribes never learned the written language, so much history lost during their time.

[mikemock]

Excellent shots Bob. Thanks for the information. I will check it out when we are in the area.

[Bob Harris]

Love these documentary images, Bob. The drawing are very interesting, and the photos are so sharp we can see the texture. Really !

I took the photos with my trusty 12mp point/shoot, really a great little camera while hiking around.

---------- Post added 07-21-15 at 07:00 PM ----------

Wow! Very cool! Really stimulates the imagination.

It really does, like I said before, too bad they never developed the written word, so much history lost. Now it's just a guess what they were trying to convey.

---------- Post added 07-21-15 at 07:02 PM ----------

Excellent shots Bob. Thanks for the information. I will check it out when we are in the area.

lots to do in this area Mike, if you pass by this way PM me and I'll give you some must see sites. Travel Safe.

[vonBaloney]

Yes, those are vandalized sometimes unfortunately. If I remember there is a road with a whole bunch of them along the side and it is pretty much totally open access.

[Bob Harris]

Yes, those are vandalized sometimes unfortunately. If I remember there is a road with a whole bunch of them along the side and it is pretty much totally open access.

as you go up Hwy 211 towards Canyonlands, there is a couple of panels on the rocks on the right hand side of the road, maybe that's what you are remembering

[vonBaloney]

as you go up Hwy 211 towards Canyonlands, there is a couple of panels on the rocks on the right hand side of the road, maybe that's what you are remembering

I remember a wall on one side of the road and a river (creek) on the other, which looks like it fits the description of where Newspaper Rock is...