Elliot Bay Petroglyphs facts for kids
The Elliot Bay Petroglyphs, also known as 45KI23, are ancient rock carvings. These special markings were made long ago by the Duwamish people. They lived in the area we now call Seattle.
These petroglyphs are like a mystery from the past. They were found at the southern end of Elliott Bay, near where the Duwamish River meets the sea. Today, this area is part of Seattle's Industrial District.
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What Are Petroglyphs?
Petroglyphs are pictures or symbols carved into rock. People made them by pecking, cutting, or rubbing away parts of the rock surface. These carvings are often found outdoors on cliffs or large stones. They are like ancient art or messages left behind by people from long ago.
Who Made the Elliot Bay Petroglyphs?
The Elliot Bay Petroglyphs were created by the Duwamish people. The Duwamish are a Native American tribe. They are the original people who lived in the Seattle area for thousands of years. They have a rich history and culture, deeply connected to the land and water of the Puget Sound region. These petroglyphs are an important part of their heritage.
Where Were They Found?
The petroglyphs were located in a place that used to be very different. It was near the mouth of the Duwamish River, where it flows into Elliott Bay. This area was once a large estuary. An estuary is where a river meets the sea, mixing fresh and saltwater. It had wide, flat areas called tidal flats. These areas were full of life and important for the Duwamish people.
What Happened to the Petroglyphs?
When the city of Seattle began to grow, big changes happened to the land. The Duwamish estuary and tidal flats were filled in. This was done to create more land for buildings and industries. During this development, the Elliot Bay Petroglyphs may have been lost. Some reports suggest they were either buried under the new land or possibly even stolen. It's a sad mystery that these important historical carvings might be gone.
What Did They Look Like?
A researcher named Richard McClure from The Evergreen State College studied these carvings. He described them as "pecked figures of a zoomorphic nature." This means the carvings looked like animals or had animal-like shapes. We don't know exactly what animals they represented, but it tells us that animals were likely important to the Duwamish people who created them.
