At first glance this prehistoric petroglyph, rock carving, might look like eyes. When you get close, however, you can tell that it’s actually buffalo hoof prints. Above the prints are four carefully ground dots. You can see two in this photo. These are found about a five minute walk from our front door in a box canyon. What do they mean? Well, we wish we knew. We suspect they are from the Late Prehistoric Period, which means made within the last 1,000 years. Interestingly, this is the one side canyon on the ranch where prehistoric peoples could have trapped buffalo. Is that what the petroglyph documents? “We trapped buffalo in this canyon four times.” No one will ever know, but the petroglyph is a constant reminder that buffalo have been here a long time, and native peoples used them to feed their families.
Thanks to Mike and Annie Blakely for taking this great shot. Ours aren’t nearly as good!
