petroglyph

[pe-troh-glif, pe-truh-]

noun

1. an image, design, or message carved or drawn on rock by a member of an ancient or prehistoric people.

petroglyph

/ ˈpɛtrəˌɡlɪf /

noun

1. a drawing or carving on rock, esp a prehistoric one

Other Word Forms

• petroglyphic adjective
• petroglyphy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of petroglyph¹

First recorded in 1865–70; from French pétroglyphe; equivalent to petro- ¹ + glyph

Word History and Origins

Origin of petroglyph¹

C19: via French from Greek petra stone + gluphē carving

Example Sentences

The vandals damaged the petroglyphs at three locations within the rock art site, which is protected under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, according to officials.

From Los Angeles Times

They said the monument status helped protect cultural resources, including petroglyphs and centuries-old cave dwellings.

From Los Angeles Times

He notes that the study is one of the first to center on rock art engravings, or petroglyphs, in the Amazon.

From Science Magazine

Some boulders are decorated with petroglyphs older than all of our leading presidential candidates put together.

From Los Angeles Times

There also have been others cases of vandalism on federal land across the West over the past decade, with visitors defacing petroglyphs, toppling rock features and pounding climbing bolts into centuries-old rock art.

From Seattle Times