There are over 21,000

petroglyph A petroglyph is an image created by removing part of a rock surface by incising, picking, carving, or abrading, as a form of rock art. Outside North America, scholars often use terms such as "carving", "engraving", or other descriptions ...

s at the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site at Three Rivers, New Mexico, located midway between Tularosa and Carrizozo in Otero County on Highway 54. Many of the petroglyphs can be easily viewed from a trail open to the public which winds through the rocks for about one mile. The petroglyphs are thought to be the product of the Jornada Mogollon people between about 1000 and 1400 AD. The site is protected and maintained by the

Bureau of Land Management The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior responsible for administering federal lands, U.S. federal lands. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the BLM oversees more than of land, or one ...

. The locale is called Three Rivers because Indian Creek, Golondrina ("Swallow") Creek, and Three Rivers come together near the site. The petroglyphs at Three Rivers were recorded during a six-year project by the Archaeological Society of New Mexico's Rock Art Recording Field Schools. Photographs and records are on file at the

's District Office in Las Cruces.

Gallery

File:Three Rivers Petroglyph Site 7.jpeg, A petroglyph depicting a

bighorn sheep The bighorn sheep (''Ovis canadensis'') is a species of Ovis, sheep native to North America. It is named for its large Horn (anatomy), horns. A pair of horns may weigh up to ; the sheep typically weigh up to . Recent genetic testing indicates th ...

; arrows or spears protrude from its body. File:Three Rivers Petroglyph Site 10.jpeg, One of many circle and dot motifs at the site. File:Three Rivers Petroglyph Site 12.jpeg, A petroglyph depicting a face or mask. File:Three Rivers Petroglyphs 2.jpeg, A geometric glyph File:Three Rivers Petroglyph Site 8.17.21.jpg, Anthropomorphic figure decorated with abstract designs. File:Three Rivers Petroglyph Site 8.17.26.jpg, A glyph depicting an animal—possibly a sheep.

References

External links

Three Rivers Petroglyph Site BLM WebsiteThree Rivers Petroglyphs information
* ttp://www.desertusa.com/mag98/mar/poi/du_3rivers.html Three Rivers Petroglyph Site information Petroglyphs in New Mexico Mogollon culture Geography of Otero County, New Mexico Bureau of Land Management areas in New Mexico {{NewMexico-geo-stub