CHAPTER XVI 



SCULPTURED OR INSCRIBED ROCKS. 



Rocks rudely inscribed with figures of men and animals, have been observed at 

 various points within the United States, and have commanded no small share of 

 attention. Their general character seems, however, but imperfectly understood ; 

 and for this reason care has been taken to preserve sketches and descriptions of 

 such as fell under notice in the progress of the investigations recorded in this 

 volume. In presenting the tollowing illustrations, we are not to be understood as 

 supposing that any of these rude monuments are referable to the era of the mounds, 

 or that they have any extraordinary significance. 



These illustrations comprise sketches of six sculptured rocks which occur upon 

 the Guyandotte river in Virginia, and which have never before been noticed ; 

 together with a sketch of one occurring upon the Ohio river, never before figured, 

 but to which distant allusion has several times been made. Notices of the locality 

 and general character of several others, occurring chiefly within the valley of the 

 Ohio, are also appended. 



Proceeding upon a very vague intimation of the existence of certain rocks of this 

 kind, upon the banks of the Guyandotte river, in Cabell county, Virginia, a visit 

 was made to the locality in the autumn of 1846. The first of the series of rocks 

 was found near the pathway, about eight miles above the town of Barbersville, 

 or sixteen miles above the mouth of the river. It is a large detached block of 

 weather-worn sandstone, of coarse texture, presenting above ground a flat but 

 somewhat irregular surface. The edges are much rounded, and the rock closely 

 resembles the water-worn boulders sometimes I'ound on the alluvions. Immedi- 

 ately in the centre, which is slightly depressed, is cut in outline a rude efiigy of a 

 human figure, with arms extended and elevated, and apparently in the attitude 

 of running. It is manifestly intended to represent a female, the breasts and 

 other distinctive features being depicted. The action of the figure is well 

 expressed, and the proportions are not materially wrong. It is four feet in 

 height. Upon the edges of the rock are other outlines of the human figure, 

 though too much obliterated to be traced with satisfaction or exactness. They 

 are considerably less in size than the one just described. Resides these there are 

 cut into the rock, at all angles to the plane of stratification, a number of tracks of 

 various beasts and birds. Among them arc those of the deer, bear, wolf, and 

 turkey. They are very truthfully indicated, .iik! it is no Ioniser a matter of 



