Exploring the Enigmatic Native Rock Markings that Captivated Early Europeans and Americans

In the spring of 1852, U.S. Army Lt. John W. Gunnison wrote to his Mormon friend, Albert Carrington, in Salt Lake City. He asked Carrington about some mysterious rock carvings in Utah, wondering if they were similar to those from which the Book of Mormon was translated.

At first glance, Gunnison’s question might seem strange, but ideas about ancient rock art continue to captivate people today. Recently, some researchers have suggested that certain rock drawings in the U.S. could be the work of Chinese artists who may have arrived long before Columbus.

Gunnison had connections to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and was aware that some members believed these carvings linked them to the Lost Tribes of Israel. In fact, he had drawn images of the carvings and noted that one LDS leader had interpreted them to tell the story of Mahanti, a king of the Lamanites.

While some early Mormons sought connections between these carvings and their heritage, the LDS Church has no official stance on these rock drawings. In recent years, the Church has partnered with Native American tribes to return artifacts, including a large rock with carvings that had been taken from Pima lands in the 1930s.

This interest in Native American rock art wasn’t unique to Mormons. In the 18th century, explorer Jonathan Carver proposed that the Winnebago Indians came from Mexico, driven north by Spanish conquests. Similarly, when Army Colonel Cave J. Couts visited Casa Grande in Arizona, he thought it was an Aztec temple, while Captain Philip St. George Cooke suggested it was built by local Native American tribes.

In the mid-1800s, some believed that Dighton Rock in Massachusetts bore ancient inscriptions from Phoenicians or Vikings. Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, a respected scholar of the time, claimed these inscriptions documented a battle between two tribes, but his ideas were met with skepticism.

Fast forward to today, and researchers still debate the origins and meanings of rock carvings. Recent statistics show that interest in rock art remains strong, with many universities conducting studies and involving Native communities in their research. A report from the National Park Service highlights that these petroglyphs and pictographs represent the rich cultures that were here long before Europeans arrived, conveying messages about social, economic, and spiritual life.

Even now, many are intrigued by what these symbols might reveal. The fascination with decoding these ancient writings continues, just as it did for Gunnison and his contemporaries. These carvings are not only artistic expressions but also records of the lives and beliefs of Indigenous peoples.

For more insights, check the National Park Service’s article on rock markings here.

Sources:

• Gunnison’s letters.
• "Asiatic Echoes" by John A. Ruskamp, Jr.
• Historical newspaper articles.

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