A petroglyph is an ancient Native American rock drawing, usually depicting a hunting or domestic scene, the exact historical purpose of which is unclear. Abbey finds petroglyphs throughout the desert. They fill him with wonder and a sense of the desert’s longevity, often prompting his ruminations on human vanity and the plight of the Navajos.
Get the entire Desert Solitaire LitChart as a printable PDF.
Petroglyph Term Timeline in Desert Solitaire
The timeline below shows where the term Petroglyph appears in Desert Solitaire. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Cowboys and Indians, Part II
...Native Americans: one can find evidence of their ancient culture in this landscape and in petroglyphs (rock drawings), but the people are mostly gone. Their drawing style is remarkably in line...
(full context)
Down the River
Abbey notices petroglyphs of the Anasazi on a nearby mural wall, leading him to wonder about pre-Columbian life....
(full context)
Terra Incognita: Into the Maze
...decide to leave The Maze in order to return tomorrow. They spot a Native American petroglyph on a canyon wall, concluding that, other than this relic, the place has been completely...
(full context)
