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Thursday, March 23, 2023 | 
Faith Mormon Times

Picturing history: Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, Arizona

By Kenneth Mays Kenneth Mays, Columnist

For the Deseret News

SHARE Picturing history: Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, Arizona
In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.

In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.

Kenneth Mays
1 of 8
In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.

In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.

Kenneth Mays
2 of 8
In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.

In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.

Kenneth Mays
3 of 8
In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.

In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.

Kenneth Mays
4 of 8
In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.

In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.

Kenneth Mays
5 of 8
In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.

In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.

Kenneth Mays
6 of 8
In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.

In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.

Kenneth Mays
7 of 8
In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.

In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.

Kenneth Mays
8 of 8
In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.
In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.
In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.
In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.
In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.
In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.
In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.
In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site now known as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, where there are hundreds of petroglyphs.

In late December 1846, the Mormon Battalion continued westward in southern Arizona to an ancient archaeological site where hundreds of symbolic and artistic rock etchings, or "petroglyphs," produced centuries ago by prehistoric people, can be easily seen.

Known today as Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, this fascinating place is located about 90 miles southwest of Phoenix.

The Battalion arrived at Painted Rocks on Dec. 29. The weather was cold. They saw “huge rocks covered with pictures of men, animals, birds and snakes.”

Today, Painted Rock Petroglyph Site has interpretive walks and an improved campground. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 and is operated and maintained by the Bureau of Land Management.

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