Three Rivers Petroglyph site

[gregszybala]

Just got back from a three and a half week road trip. Saw this site on the map and had to pull in. Just a short walk from the parking lot and according to the information over twenty thousands petroglyphs! Just a few of the dozens of pictures I took.
North of Tularosa, New Mexico.

[Cecilia]

I love petroglyphs! Thank you! (Where are other 19,000+ pics?)

[Kaz]

I was just curious are the petroglyphs all just pecked into the surface of the stone or is there paint or pigment involved? It’s amazing how well they have survived and not just faded from view.

[CMD]

I was just curious are the petroglyphs all just pecked into the surface of the stone or is there paint or pigment involved? It’s amazing how well they have survived and not just faded from view.

The desert varnish that coats many rocks in the Southwest allows for superb contrast between the pecked glyphs and the varnish stained rocks. Back in the day, I used to chalk petroglyphs in RI, so they could be seen better in photographs. I did not know better at the time, that chalking glyphs can cause I believe chemical changes that are harmful. So chalking is now considered a big no-no when recording glyphs. Passing through the Petrified Forest years ago, virtually every isolated rock and outcrop contained perfectly visible glyphs due to the contrast with the dark desert varnish patina.

[SDhunter]

Makes you wonder what some of them mean. The box with a head and feet is weird. Then it has a step like image inside.

[Cecilia]

First thing thot of Ark of Covenant….💁🏻♀️

[Artifascination]

That is really cool Greg! Thanks for sharing!

[beatup1354]

that is a very interesting place to visit

[Lindenmeier-Man]

Land of Enchantment , it truly is just that. I’m glad you got to visit that area !

[Josie]

Bet that was really something to see in person. Glad you were able to visit the area to see them.

[Ron Kelley]

Hey Greg, Those are some great petroglyphs. Please show us more!

[sailorjoe]

Very interesting, Greg. So we can get an idea on how big some of them are, what is the approximate size of the rock/boulder in your last photo (bottom right)?

[gregszybala]

The last photo boulder was about 2.5' wide by 3.25' wide

[sailorjoe]

Thanks Greg. So it seems it took a lot of pecking to create this old time art.

[paohrocks]

Really cool, thanks for sharing.

[Rio Del Norte]

A magic spot for sure...

[SurfaceHunter]

What age are they? Really neat stuff

[Rio Del Norte]

https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/1760

[Uncle Trav]

I’ve been to many sites like this. The feeling of standing in the footsteps of the people that made these petroglyphs maybe thousands of years ago in something that can’t be explained. To sit and ponder the why and when in front of the glyphs really puts the imagination into overdrive. Thanks for sharing the pics.
👍😃