Jeffers Petroglyphs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Jeffers Petroglyphs Site
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Jeffers Petroglyphs looking South East. Image is from a Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress), April, 1990
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Jeffers, Minnesota |
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| NRHP reference No. | 70000291 |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1970 |
The Jeffers Petroglyphs site is a very special place in southwestern Minnesota. It has ancient rock carvings made by Native Americans long ago. These carvings are called petroglyphs. They are etched into a large rock surface called Red Rock Ridge. This ridge is made of a tough rock called Sioux quartzite. It stretches for about 23 kilometers (14 miles).
The exposed rock area is about 46 meters (150 feet) wide and 198 meters (650 feet) long. It is surrounded by beautiful, untouched prairie land. The Dakota Indians lived in this area a long time ago. Some carvings look just like designs found on Dakota hide paintings and their quill or beadwork. Other carvings look much older and are different from these designs. Old wagon trails also cross the site. One is thought to be an old stagecoach route.
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Uncovering the Age of Ancient Carvings
The exact age of these petroglyphs is not fully known. Scientists believe the oldest carvings were made between 9,000 and 7,000 years ago. Some symbols at Jeffers match symbols found at Indian Knoll in Kentucky. Those symbols are about 5,000 years old. They come from a time called the Late Archaic Period.
Carvings of projectile points (like spear tips) also give clues. They show a design used by hunters during the Late Archaic Period. Other carvings, like thunderbirds, dragonflies, and turtles, are symbols used by later tribes. These include the Otoe, Sioux, and Iowa tribes. These newer carvings might be from 900 CE to 1750 CE. There are over 4,000 Native American images carved into the rock. Glaciers smoothed and flattened this bedrock about 14,000 years ago.
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Understanding the Purpose of the Carvings
Archaeologists have different ideas about why these carvings were made. Some think they were part of "hunting magic" to help hunters. Others believe they were used for sacred ceremonies. They might also have recorded important events in the lives of warriors or leaders. The exact age and purpose of the carvings are still guesses, not proven facts.
Many Native Americans see the Jeffers site as a very spiritual and sacred place. It is more than just a place to study. Jerry Flute, a Dakota elder, once said that it is "a place where Grandmother Earth speaks of the past, present and future."
Visiting the Jeffers Petroglyphs Site
The Minnesota Historical Society bought the site in 1966. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. The Minnesota Historical Society takes care of the site. You can visit it between May and September.
The site is surrounded by two important areas of tallgrass prairie. These prairies are home to many special plants and animals. You can find rare prairie bush clover here. Other plants include big bluestem, Indian grass, and gray-headed coneflower. Animals like the upland sandpiper, regal fritillary butterfly, and Poweshiek skipper butterfly also live on these prairies.
The visitor center is open from May through September. It has fun, hands-on exhibits. You can also watch a video about the site. Programs are offered daily on topics like archaeology and how Native Americans used tools like the atlatl. You can also learn about prairie wildlife and plants.
Exploring the Night Sky at Jeffers
The "Starry Night, Prairie Night" event happens every year at the park. During this event, amateur astronomers can use the park and its facilities. Many astronomers come and bring their telescopes. They often let others look through their telescopes to see the night sky. This site is special not just for its history, but also for its dark night skies. It is much darker than most cities in Minnesota. The Clear Sky Chart rates it as "green," meaning it's great for stargazing!
