Petroglyphs are rock art engravings, and pictographs are rock art paintings. Petroglyphs and pictographs are both important parts of the rich cultural heritage of the Columbia River people. Archeologists estimate that the oldest of them in the Columbia River region could be between 6,000 and 7,000 years old, but no one knows for sure.
Rock art along the Columbia River include both petroglyphs and pictographs
Though no one can say for certain, official estimates are that there were roughly 90 rock art sites along the Columbia River, in the stretch of land between Pasco, Washington to the east, and The Dalles, Oregon, to the west. Unfortunately, many of these sites were either inundated or destroyed when The Dalles and the John Day dams were put into service, and are now lost to the world forever.
Inspired by ancient rock carvings…
Much of my art is inspired by the rock carvings and paintings that were so prolific up and down the Columbia River. But I didn’t even know these existed until I was already in my 30’s, and an elder took me to see them.
—Lillian Pitt
Learn More about petroglyphs and pictographs:
- Lillian Pitt learns about rock art of the Columbia River
- Rock Art: Probably not “Art”
- Images of rock art along the Columbia River
