Petroglyph Sites

The Zone 6 area contains many important archeological sites which are at risk. Many of those areas have been nominated for inclusion in the National Registry of Historic Places. Included here are some excerpts from a survey of various sites contained within Zone 6. Of particular note is site # 42Ws5181 containing several petroglyphs. The site functions as a calendar based on cast shadows within the carved spiral, marking the solstice. This irreplaceable piece of our history was recently sold to real estate developers and is now on private land. (The future of this site is uncertain)

AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF APPROXIMATELY 640 ACRES IN THE TONAQUINT PROJECT AREA, WASHINGTON COUNTY, UTAH

Prepared for

STATE OF UTAH, SCHOOL AND INSTITUTIONAL TRUST LANDS ADMINISTRATION

Prepared by

Suzanne Eskenazi

HRA, Inc. Archaeological Report No. 08-20

Utah Project Number U-09-HQ-0008s

February 26, 2009

SURVEY RESULTS

The survey resulted in the identification of 12 new archaeological sites (42W s5178-5189) 

NEWLY RECORDED SITES

Twelve archaeological sites were identified during the present survey (Table 3). These sites consist of lithic scatters, artifact scatters with flaked stone, ceramics, and ground stone, a petroglyph, a historic rock wall, and an inscribed boulder, also historic. 

Site # 42Ws5181

This site is a petroglyph panel that is situated in a crevice within a sandstone canyon (Figure 9, Figure 10). The panel contains multiple elements that have been pecked into a sandstone wall (Figure 11, Figure 12).

The panel contains a spiral element along with numerous anthropomorphic figures and shapes. The panel is situated on a wall / crevice which has been pecked. The spiral element looks like a labyrinth with dots on the inside of the solid concentric circles. The elements are all located along a north-south trending rock face. Some elements extend above the top of the natural crack in the rock face. The elements above the crack are fading and patinated, and the elements below the crack are in better condition. 

No artifacts are present on the surface in association with the panel. Therefore, no test units were excavated on site.

The site area is in fair condition and is at risk for vandalism. While the rock art itself has not been vandalized, the face opposite the petroglyphs has graffiti, and there is a small amount on the same face as the rock art.

Figure 10. Overview photo of 42Ws5181 looking south, showing location of rock art panel in overall landscape.

Figure 11 . Photo showing petroglyph panel at 42Ws5181. (North arrow is for scale only; arrow is pointing south.)

Figure 12. Sketch of petroglyph panel at 42Ws5181 .

HRA Recommendations

HRA's archaeological survey of the Tonaquint project area resulted in the identification of 12 new archaeological sites (42WsSSI78-S189). These sites are lithic scatters, (42WsSI78-S180, 42WsS182, and 42WsSI83), artifact scatters (42WsS186 and 42WsSI87), ceramic and lithic scatters (42WsS184 and 42WsSI8S), a petroglyph panel (42WsSI81), a historic rock wall (42WsSI88), and a boulder inscribed with a historical name and date (42WsSI89). HRA recommends that four of the 12 newly recorded sites (42WsSI81, 42WsSI8S-S187) are eligible for nomination to the NRHP (Table 4). Site 42WsS181 is petroglyph panel located on a large sandstone boulder wall that contains anthropomorphic figures and a spiral element.

Additional research into the elements identified on site could provide information important to the prehistory of the area. Site 42WsS18S is a ceramic and lithic scatter that contains a Rose Spring projectile point, and sites 42WsS186 and 42W sS187 are artifact scatters which contain lithic, ground stone, and ceramic artifacts. The latter two sites are situated on residual sandy soils, and they may contain buried deposits.