Oldest Petroglyphs in North America - Lake Winnemucca

Yes, the oldest petroglyphs or rock art in all of North America, right here in Nevada, USA. Winnemucca Lake, located in northwest Nevada, is a former lake bed that is now dry and known for containing the oldest petroglyphs ever recorded in North America. This ancient site is located on Northern Paiute land and is sacred to these indigenous people. It’s likely the early ancestors of these very Paiute Indians whom carved these amazing works of art, stories and spiritual guidance into the then tufa rock formations on the shore of this once large lake.

The oldest known petroglyphs in North America are thought to be those near Lake Winnemucca, Nevada. Some of the oldest known rock art in the world, these petroglyphs were made by Paleoindians and are thought to be between 10,500 and 14,800 years old. Several methods, including radiocarbon dating and study of tool marks on the rocks, were used to date these petroglyphs.

The Northern Paiute tribe from Pyramid Lake referred to themselves as "Cuiyui Ticutta," which translates to "cui-ui eaters.” What is amazing, is the first large rock art petroglyph we saw may be part if a statue of sorts of a fish, that fish, the sacred cui-ui, only found in that lake in the entire world! Perhaps so-called geoglyphs. This sort of loan rock art or statue carving is on the west side of the rock outcropping. The main plates and petroglyphs are on the east side, which would have also faced the lake back in the day.

There are several notable petroglyphs at the Lake Winnemucca site in Nevada. Some of the most prominent examples include abstract design motifs, images of waterfowl and long-legged waders, and bighorn sheep. There are also many more complex petroglyphs that depict hunting scenes, human and animal figures, and geometric designs. Researchers have speculated that some of the more complex petroglyphs may have been used for astronomical or calendrical purposes, similar to the Sun Dagger petroglyph at Chaco Canyon.

#Petroglyphs #rockart #Archaeology

Some real ancient history right here, fascinating archaeology. What an honor to get to visit such a sacred site with so much mystery and lessons for us all. Public access to the site is blocked due to instances of vandalism.

Winnemucca Lake rock art, the oldest petroglyphs in North America in northern Nevada.

[GrandmaBev]

Fascinating. When you are in Northern Nevada, in the middle of the desert and you find these artifacts and wonder: "How did they live here?". But they lived and thrived for thousands of years. When you think about the last time water was there, it's mind-blowing. Thank You for sharing with us. I study the glacial striations and water marks and I have found petroglyphs under the striations, meaning they were older than previously thought. Pyramid and Winnemucca Lakes have been altered. Most man-made lakes are covering something. Most natural lakes are altered. Beavers are the only animals that should create dams. I don't care about progress. Dams actually do the opposite. Absolutely Amazing Place. I think they are older than 15, 000. Hey! Are those some kind of fossil from dinosaur shells of some kind? They are too similar to not be something. Notice the outside casings? We need to test these for DNA. I believe those petroglyphs are drawn on fossils. There are mangrove roots and everything there. I had a giant dinosaur stomach with a partially digested omnivore inside of it and these reminded me of that. Cool videos. Nevada gets overlooked because it's too hot or cold, but there's so much history there. I think things get so old, we don't recognize them anymore. Every rock is something. Lol

[Lil.black.dress]

I lived there. It's an amazing and haunting place to live

[crossingworlds]

Great video! Such an intersesting site. Wondering how you got access? I've tried contacting the ranger... I was told the area is completely forbidden to anyone's entry now, even within the tribe and upon private request.

[joeblow]

I’m curious of the origin make up of those rocks. Looks volcanic Nice video. Thanks.

[Lil.black.dress]

Keeee Weeee fish. I lived on Pyramid Lake

[andreshenriquez]

It looks like it was carved from a corpse of a giant creature.

[lyndoneaton]

How come native Americans aren't studying these things and explaining what it means?