Archaeological sites in Petit Jean State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Rockhouse Cave, Petit Jean No. 2
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The Rock House
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| Location | Petit Jean State Park, Conway County, Arkansas |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| MPS | Rock Art Sites in Arkansas TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002110 |
| Added to NRHP | May 4, 1982 |
Petit Jean State Park is the oldest state park in Arkansas. It is found in the central part of Arkansas. The park sits on Petit Jean Mountain. This mountain is between the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains.
One special thing about the park is its ancient rock art. Some of this art can be seen by visitors on hiking trails. A total of twelve rock art sites here are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are very important. Most of the rock art was made around the year 1500 CE. It doesn't seem to be connected to places where people lived.
Contents
Discovering Ancient Rock Art Sites
Petit Jean State Park is home to many amazing rock art sites. These sites offer a peek into the past. They show us how early Native Americans expressed themselves. Let's explore some of these cool places.
Exploring Rockhouse Cave
Rockhouse Cave is the biggest rock art site in the park. You can reach it from the Rock House Cave Trail. This "cave" is actually a large rock shelter. It has a roof that partly covers it.
On the ceiling, near the back, you can see faint pictographs. These are paintings on the rock. The pictures are like others found in the park. One image looks like a human-like figure.
Visiting Indian Cave
Indian Cave has the second-largest number of figures in the park. It is also a rock shelter. The paintings here have a special style. This style is now called the "Petit Jean style."
The Mysterious Grotto
The Grotto is found on the Seven Hollows Trail. This trail is south of Highway 154. The site has a human-like figure. It also has a picture that looks like a quadruped. A quadruped is an animal with four legs.
Hardison Shelter's Sun Symbols
The Hardison Shelter site has many pictures of the sun. These sun symbols are either circles or spirals. This symbol is common in many Arkansas rock art sites. It is often linked to the Mississippian culture. This culture was a large Native American civilization. It existed in the central and southeastern United States.
Other Unique Rock Art Sites
There are several other interesting rock art sites at Petit Jean. Each one has its own special features.
Seven Hollows/Petit Jean Mountain Site #1
This site has three pictographs. They have not faded much over time. This means they are still quite clear to see.
Petit Jean #4: The Beaver
Petit Jean #4 shows a clear picture of a beaver. This is a unique animal depiction.
Petit Jean #5: Abstract Art
Petit Jean #5 has a very abstract pictograph. It's hard to tell exactly what it shows. It makes you wonder what the artist intended.
Petit Jean #6: Rayed Figures
Petit Jean #6 has pictographs with rays. They look like those in Pictograph Cave in Stone County. Scientists are still trying to understand this connection.
Petit Jean #7: Oval Shapes
Petit Jean #7 has a round or oval pictograph. It is surrounded by dots. It might be another type of sun symbol.
Petit Jean #9: Spiral Motif
Petit Jean #9 is under a rock overhang. It has a spiral design. This spiral pattern is seen in rock art across the eastern United States.
Petit Jean #10: Concentric Circles
Petit Jean #10 shows a series of painted circles. These circles are inside one another.
Petit Jean #11: Sunburst and Wavy Lines
Petit Jean #11 has a long sunburst pattern. It also has a pattern of wavy lines.
