Petroglyphs in Idaho

What is a petroglyph?

Petroglyphs are images created by removing part of the surface of a rock. Most petroglyphs in Idaho were made by pecking into basalt. Oxidation creates the variation in color.

When were the petroglyphs made?

By using carbon dating, we have been able to estimate that petroglyphs in Idaho were made up to 12,000 years ago. This type of rock art has been made continuously into the twentieth century.

Can I go see petroglyphs?

Yes! There are petroglyphs throughout Idaho, but they are concentrated along bodies of water, mostly the Snake River. The following slides will discuss some of the better known sites you could visit, but there are many more.

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Wees Bar• South of Kuna and 4-5

miles downstream (northwest) of Swan Falls Dam.

• Considered one of the largest petroglyph sites in Idaho.

• South of Melba.• Idaho's only archaeological

park.• Easily Accessible.

Celebration Park

Map Rock

• West of Melba on highway 45.

• A rock the size of a car.• Considered to be a map of

the area.

Buffalo Eddy

• On both the Lewiston and Clarkston side of the Snake River.

• Site has human figures as well as bison, big horned sheep, elk, and deer.

Lake Pend Oreille

• On the north shore• Images of bear paws and

abstracts