“oldest continuously used sacred sites in the world”
Jeffers Petroglyphs offers rich opportunities to explore ideas and experiences that have shaped and continue to shape America. Unanswered questions remain about what each carving, or "glyph," represents and about those who left them. The site preserves over 4,000 American Indian images pecked into solid horizontal irregular shaped Sioux quartzite outcrops. These protrusions of bedrock were ground smooth and flat by glaciers 14,000 years ago. The carvings were created by direct percussion using a hammer stone of Sioux quartzite or a rock harder of equal hardness such as a chert cobble.The largest outcropping would fit into a rectangle 50 yards wide and 300 yards long. The majority of the carvings are here. The petroglyphs illustrate bison, salamanders, turtles, elk, human stick figures, thunderbirds and various weapons (atlatls, spear points, arrowheads, and lances).The earliest carvings at Jeffers Petroglyphs were created from 7,000 to 9,000 years ago. The most recent were made in the last 150 to 250 years. They record historic events, parables and prayers of American Indians whose descendants still practice the traditional spiritual system that created the carvings. This long time span makes Jeffers one of, if not the, oldest continuously used sacred sites in the world.
Was a very unique tour. Our guide knew a lot of information. The interpretive center was quite nice too, with nice staff. A bit buggy and little shade, and about a mile of walking so prepare for that.
Nice tour, very nice people. Could have been a little more hands on.
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Jeffers Petrogylphs
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Wheelchair Accessible
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