Indian God Rock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Indian God Rock Petroglyphs Site (36VE26)
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Rear of Indian God Rock
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Southern side of the Allegheny River, Rockland Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, United States |
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| Nearest city | Brandon |
| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | 1200 |
| NRHP reference No. | 84003585 |
| Added to NRHP | May 14, 1984 |
Indian God Rock is a very large rock found in northwestern Pennsylvania. It's located near a small community called Brandon, right by the Allegheny River in Venango County. This rock is special because it has a large petroglyph (an ancient carving) on one of its sides. For a long time, this carving has made the rock an important landmark for explorers, a fun place for tourists to visit, and a subject for scientists to study.
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What is Indian God Rock?
Indian God Rock is one of many big rocks along the Allegheny River in Venango County. It is made of sandstone, which is a type of rock that is fairly easy to carve. The rock is about 22 feet long, 14 feet wide, and 10 feet tall. Its size and material made it a perfect surface for creating ancient rock art.
Ancient Carvings and History
What Do the Carvings Show?
There are about 55 different carvings on Indian God Rock. These carvings include various shapes, as well as pictures of people and animals in different positions. Two of the carvings show people who look like archers (people using bows and arrows). These are the only known carvings of archers in all the Native American rock art found in the Ohio River valley.
One expert believes that some of the carvings look like drawings found on old birch bark scrolls. This might mean the rock was used by tribal shamans, who were spiritual leaders. The expert also noticed that there aren't many carvings about fighting. This could suggest that the people who made the carvings were part of a peaceful culture.
Indian God Rock isn't the only place with petroglyphs in this area. Another site, called "Rainbow Rocks Petroglyphs Site," is located about 7.5 miles east, near the community of Van.
When Were the Carvings Made?
No one knows the exact date the carvings were made. Experts think they were carved sometime after the year 900 AD, and most likely after 1200 AD. We know they were definitely made before 1749. That's because in 1749, a French expedition traveling along the Allegheny River recorded seeing the rock.
During this expedition, the Native American guides who were with the French explorers showed great respect for the rock. One member of the expedition wrote that the guides "regarded the rock with superstitious reverence," meaning they saw it as a very sacred place. The French expedition also left two lead plates at the site to show they had been there.
In the 1800s, Indian God Rock became a popular place for tourists. Steamships traveling on the Allegheny River would often stop so passengers could get off and look at the petroglyphs.
Indian God Rock Today
Challenges for the Rock
In recent years, Indian God Rock has faced some problems. It has been damaged by erosion (when natural forces like wind and water wear away the rock) and vandalism (when people intentionally damage it). Since the 1800s, visitors have carved their names into the rock. More recently, some people have even used spray paint on it. Because of this damage, the ancient carvings are now harder to see than they used to be.
Why the Rock is Important Today
In the 1900s, scientists began to study Indian God Rock more closely. They wanted to learn as much as possible from its carvings. This rock is special because it was the first petroglyph site in the Ohio River valley to be written about in historical records. Because of its importance and the ongoing study of its carvings, it is considered the best example of large rock art in its region.
The United States Forest Service recognizes Indian God Rock as one of the most important Native American archaeological sites along the Allegheny River. This part of the river is even called a National Wild and Scenic River. In 1984, the National Park Service officially added Indian God Rock to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes places that are important to the history of the United States.
How to Visit the Rock
Back in 1982, the rock was located near a railroad line. Today, that train line is closed. Instead, a walking path called the Middle Allegheny River Water Trail passes near the rock. Hikers can see the rock from a special lookout point along the trail. Just like in the 1800s, you can also see Indian God Rock from boats on the Allegheny River.
