Circle Petraglyph

tasmith@otelco.net · Apr 1, 2013

Any ideas as to what these are? We have several overlooking a large spring and all are circles within circles. Most are five rings some less and a few have depressions in center.

bsit1361 · Apr 1, 2013

No idea but that's pretty cool.

GTK96 · Apr 1, 2013

Obviously this...

April fools?

firemac · Apr 1, 2013

very neat, where did y'all find them? there should be someone on here that can ID them

bsit1361 · Apr 1, 2013

Be nice to be able to do a couple test digs near them

Charl · Apr 1, 2013

Here's a good read that includes concentric circle petroglyphs in California. They are a world wide petroglyph design, though the meaning probably varies. Called cup and ring stones in Western Europe when there is a depressed "cup"in the center.

History

Charl · Apr 1, 2013

Here's some from Indiana...

Album 1 « Gallery 3 « Gallery « Eastern States Rock Art Research Association

And a nice one here on the Susquehanna River, Pa. Second from left, top row...

http://esrara.org/gallery/?album=1&gallery=4

tasmith@otelco.net · Apr 3, 2013

Thanks, Charl! Amazing are the Western Europe similarities relating to physical locations marking passes and water access. Even Ireland has similar markings. Leads one to believe there is much still to be uncovered regarding America's ancient past and the shared history of all mankind.

Charl · Apr 3, 2013

tasmith@otelco.net said:
Thanks, Charl! Amazing are the Western Europe similarities relating to physical locations marking passes and water access. Even Ireland has similar markings. Leads one to believe there is much still to be uncovered regarding America's ancient past and the shared history of all mankind.

That's how I've always seen it. What we don't know would surely surprise us.

rginn · Apr 3, 2013

William Tell's petrified target? Just a wild guess, but I would say it's a symbol indicating the spring, and would be visible from a nearby trail to travellers. Lot of work, but it would catch your attention as you were walking along, so you would check it out and find water.

Terry Soloman · Apr 4, 2013

It is a "water" sign.

lostlake88 · Apr 4, 2013

Know one knows, but it was important enough for these ancients to spend hours on it. It doesn't represent the baby they just had. What was important to them is different than what is important to us. Abstract thinking could very well solve the puzzle; this is where philosophy could be of help.

Charl · Apr 5, 2013

Another water symbol, also a clan symbol for the water clan. Narragansett Bay, RI. Photo taken in 1979 during research I did recording the site.

Terry Soloman · Apr 5, 2013

Charl said:
Another water symbol, also a clan symbol for the water clan. Narragansett Bay, RI. Photo taken in 1979 during research I did recording the site.

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Great Find! We have very similar water signs in Arizona!

Charl · Apr 6, 2013

Thanks, Terry. My first trip to Arizona, early 80's, I took over 400 photos of petroglyphs. Driving through the Petrified Forest, just try and find a rock that doesn't have carvings on it! Always had a keen interest in them. Pick up a point, and it's not necessarily going to be a window into the native's mind. But petroglyphs are glimpses into many aspects of their beliefs, etc., if we can but interpret them. And so many of the design elements are the same throughout the Americas.
Thanks for sharing those photos.

fezeke · Oct 5, 2013

Circle Petroglyph

Hello,
Nice pic! In order to determine what it potentially represents you need more information. A survey of the surrounding area may shed more light.
1) Where are the petroglyphs? Just the state name and and part of the state if privacy is a concern.
2) Are there any other water sources similiar to this particuliar location nearby?
3) Look at the surrounding landscape. What key features stand out?
4) What is the orientation of the petroglyphs? Do they face North, South, East or West? Or do they face different directions?
5) Is it perpendicular or horizontal to level ground or is there an angle.
6) Measure each one including the concentric rings. Are there consistency in their size?
7) If they are close enough together, do they form a discernible pattern?

Concentric Circles and rings are a common feature in Rock Art all over the world. Many seems to relate to stars and patterns in the sky but thats not exclusive. So you have to take the surrounding area into context. Thanks for sharing.