for thousands of years migrating Indian tribes have stopped and posted their messages about their travels and sightings. Located near Canyonlands, Needles division, Utah, Newspaper Rock is a very interesting place to stop and study the "Ancients", that have walked among us.

[Bob Harris]

I bumped this one up, no comments yet, but I thought someone might be camping in the area in the future and would be interested in viewing. Bob

[Frogfish]

That's a very cool shot Bob.

I'd try a few more of that - if you are there again - from different angles and at a different time (looks like you have some direct sunlight on it - or if it was flash then a tripod and long exposure may work better).

[Bob Harris]

Thanks, you are right, the sun was directly on the rock, it is more of a snapshot, but I do wish it would of turned out with more clarity. It is an interesting piece of American history, I only wish I could understand their way of communications. Thanks for your comment and help. Bob

[Sparkle]

You should be able to find out on the Net or somewhere what the writing mean. Perhaps a polarizing filter and tripod would have given the result you seem to want. With direct overhead lighting it is a problem, Early morning or late afternoon may have done it. Nice nevertheless. Thanks for charing.

[Jimbo]

Interesting to see how people use to communcate Bob. JIM

[slowpez]

We passed near Newspaper Rock the last trip out west but didn't stop for some reason. Really wish we had now. Thanks for posting this one.

[SpecialK]

Here's another edition, in the Painted Desert of Arizona.

[jimH]

Here is a version of Newspaper Rock that I took a few years back. This photo was taken with a Pentax ME Super and a Pentax SMC M-28-50 Pentax Zoom lens and ISO 200 Kodak color film:

[Bob Harris]

thanks for the add-ons and interest. I did find a sign and frontal overall view photo to add. Bob

[jimH]

It's definite, that at one time this was a very busy place. I wish I knew what they were trying to tell us with these petrographic drawings. Perhaps, it was like this thread; one person adding more to what another person has said. Very interesting, indeed.

[Rense]

Interesting site! Seen similar things in Arizona about 10 yrs ago....

[Mark Castleman]

The Four Corners region is littered with petroglyph sites like this. There a several along the Colorado near Moab and more near Blanding and Monticello. It's fairly easy to scratch an image into the desert varnish on these rocks and in a sheltered area it will last for hundreds of years. About the only way the images can be dated is to look for horses. If you see an image of a horse you know that was done sometime after 1600 when the Spanish came north.

Atlatl Rock in the Valley of Fire State Park northeast of Las Vegas


Pictographs (rock painting) in a small alcove with a spring in Canyonlands National Park (not far from Newspaper Rock)


Along the Colorado River near Moab


Also near Moab

[Bob Harris]

thanks for the photos and comments. Since the tribes did not read or write, most of the travels and symbols were passed on to the next generation and after awhile the history was lost as were many of the tribes that disappeared. Bob

[Sailor]

Fascinating - I've read of Newspaper Rock but I've never seen it "in the flesh". Thanks for posting.

Jer