Lemonweir Glyphs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lemonweir Glyphs
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| Area | 140 acres (57 ha) |
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| NRHP reference No. | 93001173 |
| Added to NRHP | November 4, 1983 |
The Lemonweir Glyphs (say "LEM-on-weer GLIFs") are ancient carvings made by early Native Americans. You can find them near the Lemonweir River in Juneau County, Wisconsin. These special carvings were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means they are recognized as important historical sites.
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What Are Petroglyphs?
Petroglyphs are images carved into rock. They are a type of ancient art. People from long ago made these carvings. They used tools to scratch, cut, or peck designs into stone surfaces. These artworks often tell stories or show beliefs. They give us clues about how ancient people lived.
The Main Carvings
Long before anyone wrote down history, people lived in a special part of Wisconsin. This area is called the Driftless Area. It has unique hills and valleys. These early people climbed up a bluff, which is like a small cliff, above a river. They found a sheltered spot on a sandstone wall. Here, they began to carve marks.
Some of these marks are hard to understand today. But many others clearly show animals. You can see a fish, a deer or elk, and a thunderbird. There is also a heron or crane, a buffalo, a lizard, and another deer or antelope. The biggest animal carving is about twelve inches tall. Some carvings are nearly half an inch deep. Others are very faint and hard to see. Sadly, some of these old images have been damaged. People in more recent times have carved their own names or marks over them.
The Boulder Carvings
Not far from the main wall, there is a large sandstone boulder. This boulder is about seven feet tall. It also has carvings on it. The top and one side of the boulder are covered with different patterns. These patterns are made of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines. They are all abstract designs, meaning they don't show animals or people. Instead, they are shapes and lines.
Protecting These Ancient Artworks
The Lemonweir Glyphs are very important. They help us learn about the people who lived in Wisconsin long ago. Because they are on the National Register of Historic Places, efforts are made to protect them. It is important to preserve these carvings. They are a valuable part of history for everyone.
