The Legend Rock Petroglyph Site is one of the more impressive sites that we've investigated. Most of our experience has been with Fremont and Ancestral Puebloan panels in Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. This site, and the nearby Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site in Medicine Lodge State Park, are the first sites we've visited that present examples of the Dinwoody Culture, and the Interior Linear Style. We were impressed by the strange nature of many of the anthropomorphs, as well as the number of zoomorphs represented in some sections of the site. I would suspect that the animals may have been created by a different group, at some later or earlier time. Most of the obviously Dinwoody Style examples were so much different than the zoomorphs style.

One of the several interesting features of this location is the number of anthropomorphs that either originate within a natural crack in the rock's surface, or are directly associated with major cracks. And there are some impressive fractures in these large sandstone surfaces. It seems that the originators of at least the Dinwoody figures were also impressed. I suspect that many of these figures are shamanistic in nature and that the figures that are emerging from the cracks represent spirits emanating from the underworld. The amazing nature of the cracks themselves may represent an entrance for the shaman into the underworld, and perhaps at least some of the smaller zoomorphic figures are "familiars" sent by the spirits beneath the surface to help guide the shamans. So many of the anthropomorphs have a warped, "cosmic" aspect to them that they seem like they were representative of drug induced experiences.

The second interesting thing about this site was the number of zoomorphic figures that were missing a head. The head portions seemed to disappear into a rough rocky surface. Whether the heads were there initially, and weathered away, is uncertain. But it seems strange that so many would be in the same situation. And no other portion of the animals is missing. There are also a few figures that are bent around the corners of a rock surface, or are missing the hind quarters at a crack, as if the animal has emerged from underneath the stone, much like the anthropomorphic figures.

We also noted quite a few dog-like images. I wonder if these actually represent domesticated dogs or coyotes, or are clan symbols. There also appear to be a few later images scattered across the rock surface, but there has been very little modern vandalism. Amazing, and wonderful.

For more information on how to preserve and protect these priceless historic treasures:

• See American Antiquities Act of 1906.
• See Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979.
• Archaeological Resources Protection Act Hotline: 800-227-7286.
• See Archaeological Site Etiquette.

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