Millsite Rock Art facts for kids

Millsite is a special place in south-central Utah, USA. It's known for its ancient rock art, found in an area called the San Rafael Swell. Millsite is about four miles west of the town of Ferron. Here, you can find four main rock walls, or "panels," covered in amazing drawings and carvings made long ago.

Discovering Millsite's Ancient Art

The rock art at Millsite was created by the Fremont people. These Native Americans lived in this area a very long time ago. They used the rock surfaces to tell stories and share their lives. They made two main types of art:

• Pictographs: These are paintings made on the rock.
• Petroglyphs: These are carvings made by chiseling away parts of the rock.

The Fremont people left behind many detailed images. These include human-like figures, animals like deer, and even strange shapes.

The Four Art Panels of Millsite

The Millsite area has four main rock panels. Each panel holds unique and interesting artwork.

Panel 1: The Hillside Art

The first panel is found on a hill. It's not as well-known as some of the others. This panel once had many detailed paintings. Today, only a few remain, but they are still very clear. The figures here often show faces with eyes, noses, and mouths. This style is often seen in art from more recent Native American groups.

Panel 2: Delicate Carvings

The second panel is filled with carefully carved petroglyphs. These carvings show a variety of subjects. You can see unusual shapes, graceful deer, and figures of people. The detail in these carvings is quite impressive.

Panel 3: Hidden Fremont Petroglyphs

The third panel also features many Fremont petroglyphs. However, these are often harder to see or understand. To get a good look at most of them, you would need to cross a small stream. From a distance, only a few carvings are visible.

Panel 4: The Famous and Detailed Panel

The fourth and final panel is quite popular. Many visitors from all over Utah come to see it. However, some people might miss many of the smaller details. Because this panel is not visited as often as some other sites, its art is in excellent condition. The paintings still show a deep red color and incredible detail. Some of the petroglyphs on this panel are very large, reaching up to five feet tall!