Newspaper Rock:
Newspaper Rock boasts a remarkable collection of petroglyphs, making it one of the finest examples in the United States. This sandstone panel serves as an ancient canvas, preserving a record of approximately 2,000 years of early human activity. Engraved by prehistoric peoples, likely from the Archaic, Basketmaker, Fremont, and Pueblo cultures, the rock showcases a timeline stretching from B.C. times to A.D. 1300.
Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument is a Utah state monument featuring a rock panel carved with one of the largest known collections of petroglyphs. It is located in San Juan County, Utah, along Utah State Route 211, 28 miles northwest of Monticello and 53 miles south of Moab.
Throughout historical times, Ute and Navajo people, alongside European Americans, made their contributions to Newspaper Rock. However, when it comes to interpreting the figures etched on the rock, scholars remain undecided about their meaning, and in some cases, these carvings are yet to be fully deciphered. In Navajo, the rock is aptly named "Tse' Hane'" which translates to "Rock that tells a story," capturing the essence of its rich historical narrative.
Newspaper Rock, at the entrance to Indian Creek, is a fantastic glimpse into ancient cultures.
Regrettably, the exact meaning behind the figures on Newspaper Rock remains elusive—whether they represent storytelling, doodling, hunting magic, clan symbols, ancient graffiti, or something else entirely. The lack of a definitive understanding leaves much to individual interpretation. Nevertheless, the cultural significance of Newspaper Rock is undeniable, earning its place in the National Register of Historic Places.