Newspaper Rock
State Historical Monument
Newspaper Rock is a
petroglyph panel etched in
sandstone that records approximately 2,000 years of early
man's activities. Perhistoric peoples, probably from the
Archaic, Basketmaker, Fremont and Pueblo cultures, etched
on the rock from B.C. time to A.D. 1300. In historic times,
Utah and Navajo tribesmen, as well as Anglos, left their
contributions.
There are no known methods of dating rock art. In
interpreting the figures on the rock, scholars are undecided
as to their meaning or have yet to decipher them. In
Navajo, the rock is called "Tse' Hane'" (rock that tells a
story). Unfortunately, we do not know if the figures
represent story telling, doodling, hunting magic, clan symbols,
ancient graffiti or something else. Without a true
understanding of the petroglyphs, much is left for
individual admiration and interpretation.
Newspaper Rock was designated a state
historical monument in 1961. It is here for
your enjoyment. Please continue to
preserve it.
