American Indian Rock Art in Minnesota MPS facts for kids

The American Indian Rock Art in Minnesota MPS is a special plan to protect important Native American rock art sites in Minnesota. MPS stands for "Multiple Property Submission." It helps decide which places with ancient rock art can be added to the National Register of Historic Places. This register is like a special list of places important to American history.

The main goal is to keep safe and preserve different kinds of rock art made by Native Americans. These include petroglyphs, which are carvings in rock, pictographs, which are paintings on rock, and petroforms, which are shapes made by arranging rocks on the ground.

Discovering Minnesota's Ancient Art

Native Americans created amazing rock art across Minnesota. These artworks tell stories and share beliefs from long ago. Experts have studied these sites to understand more about the people who made them.

Types of Rock Art in Minnesota

There are three main types of rock art found in Minnesota. Each type is usually found in different parts of the state. They also look different and were made at different times.

Petroglyphs: Carvings in Stone

Petroglyphs are images carved into rock surfaces. In Minnesota, most petroglyphs are found in the southern part of the state. These carvings often show animals, people, or mysterious symbols. They were made by chipping or grinding away parts of the rock.

Pictographs: Paintings on Rock

Pictographs are paintings on rock walls or shelters. Unlike petroglyphs, they are made with natural pigments, often red or black. In Minnesota, pictographs are mostly found in the northeastern areas. These paintings can be very old, sometimes showing scenes from daily life or spiritual beliefs.

Petroforms: Shapes on the Ground

Petroforms are designs or shapes created by arranging stones on the ground. These can be simple circles, lines, or more complex shapes like animals or people. In Minnesota, petroforms are mainly found in the southwestern part of the state. They might have been used for ceremonies, marking special places, or telling stories.

A Long History of Art

The rock art in Minnesota dates back a very long time. Some of the oldest pieces might be from around 10,000 BC. People continued to create these artworks until about 1700 AD. This long period shows how important art was to the early inhabitants of Minnesota.

Images for kids

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  Map: various Mississippian cultures, including the Upper Mississippian culture area of the Oneota, that reached into Minnesota.

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  Hopewell tradition - Interaction Area and local expressions of the Hopewell tradition.