Pecked curvilinear nucleated facts for kids

Pecked curvilinear nucleated (often called PCN) is a special kind of ancient rock carving. In archaeology, which is the study of human history through digging up old things, PCN refers to designs made by pecking or carving into rocks long ago. These carvings are from prehistoric times, meaning before written records existed.
The term PCN was first used in 1976 by Teresa Miller and Reed Haslam. They used it to describe a common type of rock carving found across western North America. What makes PCN unique is its shape: it usually has a round or oval groove carved into the rock. This carving creates a raised area in the middle, like a small bump.
PCN carvings are very common in California. Many Native American rock art sites in this part of the United States feature these interesting designs. They offer clues about the people who lived there thousands of years ago.
Where Can You Find PCN Carvings?
You can see examples of these ancient PCN rock carvings in several places. Two well-known locations include Ring Mountain in Marin County, California, and sites near Lakeport, California. These places help us learn more about the art and culture of early people.