Book Cliffs Region, Utah

While by definition, petroglyphs are chipped into the rock, pictographs such as these were painted onto the surface using various pigmented minerals such as Hematite. This spectacular display of Barrier Canyon Style figures is located in the southern Book Cliffs region of Utah. Due to the high concentration of rock art along this dry wash, ancient peoples may have used this canyon as a major travel corridor to access high country to the north during the summer. The accessibility of this canyon has contributed to serious vandalism over the years. This vandalism manifests itself in many ways. Apparently seeking recognition as idiots, some have actually carved their names over these thousand+ year old figures. Others, perhaps of a more clever ilk, elected not to leave their names at the scene of the crime; choosing instead to use the artwork as a target for their bullets.