Indian God Rock
Encyclopedia
Indian God Rock is a large boulder in the northwestern part of the U.S. state
of Pennsylvania
. Located near the unincorporated community
of Brandon, it lies along the Allegheny River
in Venango County's
Rockland Township
. It is significant for the large petroglyph
on one of its sides. Because of the petroglyph, the rock has been an explorers' landmark, a tourist attraction
, and an object of scholarly investigation.
and measures approximately 22×14×10 feet, or 7×4×4 meters by another measurement. As sandstone is an easy material to carve, the rock was an ideal surface for the creation of rock art
.
; these two figures are the only known representations of archers in the Native American rock art of the Ohio River
valley. One scholar has held that the resemblance between certain figures on the rock and drawings on extant birch bark scrolls
indicates that the rock was used by tribal shamans
, and he proposes that the rarity of martial themes among the carvings indicates that the carvers were members of a peaceful culture. Indian God Rock is not the only petroglyph site in Rockland Township; another, known as the "Rainbow Rocks Petroglyphs Site," is located in at a significantly higher altitude near the community of Van, approximately 7.5 miles (12.1 km) to the east.
The date of the petroglyph is uncertain; it is believed to have been carved at some point after AD 900, but most likely after 1200. The terminus ante quem for its creation is 1749, when it was recorded by multiple members of a French
expedition along the Allegheny. At this time, the rock was plainly invested with religious meaning; according to one member of the expedition, accompanying Native American guides "regarded the rock with superstitious reverence." Besides recording the rock and their disdain for the "savages" who created it, the expedition placed two lead
plates at the site as evidence of their presence. During the nineteenth century, Indian God Rock became a popular tourist attraction — steamships on the Allegheny would often stop to allow their passengers to examine the petroglyph.
and vandalism
. Since the nineteenth century, visitors have cut their names into the rock, and recent years have seen the use of spray paint
by some individuals. Although archaeologists have highlighted the carvings in the past, the figures are now somewhat difficult to see.
has recognized the rock as one of the most significant of the seventy-five Native American archaeological sites in the portion of the Allegheny River that has been designated a National Wild and Scenic River. In 1984, it was further recognized when the National Park Service
added it to the National Register of Historic Places
.
. Today, the rail line is closed; instead, the Middle Allegheny River Water Trail passes near the rock, and hikers can view the rock from a lookout along the trail. As in the nineteenth century, Indian God Rock is also visible from watercraft on the Allegheny River.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. Located near the unincorporated community
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
of Brandon, it lies along the Allegheny River
Allegheny River
The Allegheny River is a principal tributary of the Ohio River; it is located in the Eastern United States. The Allegheny River joins with the Monongahela River to form the Ohio River at the "Point" of Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
in Venango County's
Venango County, Pennsylvania
Venango County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 54,984. Its county seat is Franklin.-History:Venango County was created on March 12, 1800 from parts of Allegheny and Lycoming Counties...
Rockland Township
Rockland Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania
Rockland Township is a township in Venango County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,346 at the 2000 census. The township is quite remote, containing one general store and a volunteer fire department...
. It is significant for the large petroglyph
Petroglyph
Petroglyphs are pictogram and logogram images created by removing part of a rock surface by incising, picking, carving, and abrading. Outside North America, scholars often use terms such as "carving", "engraving", or other descriptions of the technique to refer to such images...
on one of its sides. Because of the petroglyph, the rock has been an explorers' landmark, a tourist attraction
Tourist attraction
A tourist attraction is a place of interest where tourists visit, typically for its inherent or exhibited cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, or amusement opportunities....
, and an object of scholarly investigation.
Geology
One of many large boulders lining the banks of the Allegheny River in Venango County, Indian God Rock is composed of sandstoneSandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
and measures approximately 22×14×10 feet, or 7×4×4 meters by another measurement. As sandstone is an easy material to carve, the rock was an ideal surface for the creation of rock art
Rock art
Rock art is a term used in archaeology for any human-made markings made on natural stone. They can be divided into:*Petroglyphs - carvings into stone surfaces*Pictographs - rock and cave paintings...
.
Early history
Among the fifty-five different figures present on Indian God Rock include geometric shapes and depictions of humans and animals in a range of positions. Two of the carvings appear to be images of archersArchery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
; these two figures are the only known representations of archers in the Native American rock art of the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
valley. One scholar has held that the resemblance between certain figures on the rock and drawings on extant birch bark scrolls
Birch bark document
A birch bark document is a document written on pieces of birch bark. Such documents existed in several cultures. For instance, some Gandharan Buddhist texts have been found written on birch bark and preserved in clay jars....
indicates that the rock was used by tribal shamans
Shamanism
Shamanism is an anthropological term referencing a range of beliefs and practices regarding communication with the spiritual world. To quote Eliade: "A first definition of this complex phenomenon, and perhaps the least hazardous, will be: shamanism = technique of ecstasy." Shamanism encompasses the...
, and he proposes that the rarity of martial themes among the carvings indicates that the carvers were members of a peaceful culture. Indian God Rock is not the only petroglyph site in Rockland Township; another, known as the "Rainbow Rocks Petroglyphs Site," is located in at a significantly higher altitude near the community of Van, approximately 7.5 miles (12.1 km) to the east.
The date of the petroglyph is uncertain; it is believed to have been carved at some point after AD 900, but most likely after 1200. The terminus ante quem for its creation is 1749, when it was recorded by multiple members of a French
New France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
expedition along the Allegheny. At this time, the rock was plainly invested with religious meaning; according to one member of the expedition, accompanying Native American guides "regarded the rock with superstitious reverence." Besides recording the rock and their disdain for the "savages" who created it, the expedition placed two lead
Lead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
plates at the site as evidence of their presence. During the nineteenth century, Indian God Rock became a popular tourist attraction — steamships on the Allegheny would often stop to allow their passengers to examine the petroglyph.
Deterioration
In recent decades, the Indian God Rock has suffered significantly from erosionErosion
Erosion is when materials are removed from the surface and changed into something else. It only works by hydraulic actions and transport of solids in the natural environment, and leads to the deposition of these materials elsewhere...
and vandalism
Vandalism
Vandalism is the behaviour attributed originally to the Vandals, by the Romans, in respect of culture: ruthless destruction or spoiling of anything beautiful or venerable...
. Since the nineteenth century, visitors have cut their names into the rock, and recent years have seen the use of spray paint
Spray painting
Spray painting is a painting technique where a device sprays a coating through the air onto a surface. The most common types employ compressed gas—usually air—to atomize and direct the paint particles. Spray guns evolved from airbrushes, and the two are usually distinguished by their size and the...
by some individuals. Although archaeologists have highlighted the carvings in the past, the figures are now somewhat difficult to see.
Recognition
In the twentieth century, Indian God Rock became the object of significant archaeological investigation for the information potential of its carvings. Its place as the first Ohio River valley petroglyph to appear in written records and the continued scholarly attention to its carvings has caused it to be seen as the premier example of monumental rock art in its region. The United States Forest ServiceUnited States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
has recognized the rock as one of the most significant of the seventy-five Native American archaeological sites in the portion of the Allegheny River that has been designated a National Wild and Scenic River. In 1984, it was further recognized when the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
added it to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Accessibility
In 1982, the rock lay on the right-of-way for a railroad line operated by the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie RailroadPittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad
The Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad , also known as the "Little Giant", was formed on May 11, 1875. Company headquarters were located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The line connected Pittsburgh in the east with Youngstown, Ohio at nearby Haselton, Ohio in the west and Connellsville, ...
. Today, the rail line is closed; instead, the Middle Allegheny River Water Trail passes near the rock, and hikers can view the rock from a lookout along the trail. As in the nineteenth century, Indian God Rock is also visible from watercraft on the Allegheny River.
See also
- List of Native American archaeological sites on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania
Further reading
- Geyer, Alan R. and William H. Bolles. Outstanding Scenic Geologic Features of Pennsylvania. Environmental Geology Report EG7, Part 1. Fourth Pennsylvania Geological SurveyPennsylvania Geological SurveyThe Pennsylvania Geological Survey or Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey , is a geological survey enacted by the Pennsylvania General Assembly "to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania by collecting, preserving, and disseminating impartial information on the Commonwealth's geology, geologic...
: 1979. - Swauger, James L.James L. SwaugerJames L. Swauger was an archaeologist known for his work on the petroglyphs of the Ohio River valley of the United States...
Rock Art of the Upper Ohio Valley. GrazGrazThe more recent population figures do not give the whole picture as only people with principal residence status are counted and people with secondary residence status are not. Most of the people with secondary residence status in Graz are students...
: Akademische Druck-und-Verlagsanstalt, 1974.