rock carvings
Ancient etched stones
Rock carvings are images or designs cut, chiseled, or scratched into stone surfaces.
The term typically refers to ancient petroglyphs—figures of animals, humans, or abstract symbols carved into cliff faces, boulders, or cave walls by prehistoric peoples.
Rock carvings serve as archaeological evidence of early human expression and communication: The canyon walls are covered with rock carvings depicting hunting scenes.
- petroglyphsCarvings on natural stone
- prehistoric artArt before writing existed
- chiselingCutting with edged tool
- shamanicOf spirit-world intermediaries
- cliff facesVertical rock surfaces
engraving · pecking · Ancestral Puebloans · etching · hunting scenes · fertility symbols · bighorn sheep · spirit animals · celestial symbols · incising · sandstone formations · sacred sites · patina · desert floor · archaeological sites · abrasion · stone · weathered
- Asian PrehistoryPaleolithic, Bronze Age, Chalcolithic, hunter-gatherers, stone tools
- ancient artifactsjade mask, Viking sword, bronze sculptures, antiquities, Roman coin
- Outbackoutback, station, red sand, cattle station, dust storm
- ancient artsculpture, sculptures, pottery, mosaics, murals
- Native American arttotem poles, Navajo rugs, dreamcatchers, featherwork, wampum
- Nordic artifactsrunestones, rune stones, Oseberg ship, burial goods, ship burials
rock carvingsrock paintings
Images drawn on stone
cave paintings · pictographs · frescoes · murals · painted murals
rock carvingsice sculptures
Art carved from frozen water
land art · performance art · body painting · smoke signals · body art