According to the Ohio Historical Society, Leo Petroglyph contains 37 carvings that depict humans and animals. The Fort Ancient Indians are the likely creators.
The carvings appear on a large piece of sandstone on the edge of a large ravine, making it susceptible to weather and erosion; it’s isolated location and minimal barriers make it a target for vandals who like to add to the ancient carvings.
With tightening budgets, I wonder how well this attraction is patrolled. Sadly, the signs have been damaged and the rock is protected by what is basically a picnic shelter. It seems odd, somehow, to be able to have a picnic near what may very well be a religious or ceremonial relic.
Nobody knows for sure what the carvings mean, though to me it appears to be a hunting scene of some sort. Most intriguing is a monster-like horned figure that may represent a shaman or mythical beast.
If you are ever in the
Leo Petroglyph is near the village of Leo, five miles northwest of Jackson, in
It’s also wise to call ahead to make sure there are no unexpected or special closings. When we attempted to visit Fort Hill on the same trip, the trails were closed for deer season.
Phone:
614-297-2630
1-800-686-1535 (toll free)
http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/places/se05/index.shtml
2 comments:
The Leo Petroglyphs resemble a style of Pictography and may have similar meanings as images used by the Ojibwa people of the great lakes region. The Ojibwa used Pictographs to record many things. Such ideographs when used in messages conveyed Names of people and tribes. They were also records of events and places. They conveyed time, numbers as well as direction and distance. Some pictographs drawn on Birch bark Scrolls depicted the outlines of rivers, lakes, trails and landforms; these Native American Maps were designed as mnemonic travel aids. A Geocontourglyph is a Petroglyph that represents a landform. Search the web for "Geocontourglpyh" to learn more.
"Petroglyph Pathways" By Michael Clauss makes the case - with photos and map overlays - that the Leo petroglyphs is a geocontourglyph. That is to say, it's a map.
Fascinating and wonderful!
Another great book on the big rock with pictures on it is "Petroglyphs of Ohio"
By James L. Swauger. Dr. Swauger makes the important point that "Interpretation is a perilous venture." :-)
I have talked with people at the Ohio Historical Society, who told me that you might be able to make an appointment to see the actual canvas print of the carvings that was made many, many years ago. Already by the time Swauger's book was published there were certain differences in the carvings at the time and the record made on the canvas way back when.
Wouldn't it be awesome to get together a study party, a project with money behind it, to use current technology, such as ground-penetrating radar, space imaging, and maybe move some dirt to see what else might be on that rock, that we haven't seen??
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