The Rochester Rock Art Panel in Emery County, Utah consists of a large number of

petroglyphs A petroglyph is an image created by removing part of a rock surface by incising, picking, carving, or abrading, as a form of rock art. Outside North America, scholars often use terms such as "carving", "engraving", or other descriptions ...

of various ages. Some are prehistoric

rock art In archaeology, rock art is human-made markings placed on natural surfaces, typically vertical stone surfaces. A high proportion of surviving historic and prehistoric rock art is found in caves or partly enclosed rock shelters; this type also ...

, probably of

Fremont culture The Fremont culture or Fremont people is a pre-Columbian archaeological culture which received its name from the Fremont River in the U.S. state of Utah, where the culture's sites were discovered by local indigenous peoples like the Navajo and Ute ...

origin. Others are probably modern, depicting horses, for example. And some are perhaps of very recent origin, most likely the work of white explorers, settlers, and/or tourists. There is a great deal of

graffiti Graffiti (plural; singular ''graffiti'' or ''graffito'', the latter rarely used except in archeology) is art that is written, painted or drawn on a wall or other surface, usually without permission and within public view. Graffiti ranges from s ...

near the main panel that is obviously of fairly recent origin. The majority of the panel is covered with a dark

desert varnish Desert varnish or rock varnish is an orange-yellow to black coating found on exposed rock surfaces in arid environments. Desert varnish is approximately one micrometer thick and exhibits nanometer-scale layering. Rock rust and desert patina are ot ...

which contrasts nicely with the light sandstone that is exposed when the petroglyphs are pecked into the surface. There are several sections of very light stone in the center of the panel where it appears some of original stone was removed, probably by collectors who were after the figures inscribed there. The panel is located 3 miles east of

Emery, Utah Emery is a town in Emery County, Utah, United States. The population was 288 at the 2010 census. History Prehistoric Emery sits at the base of the mountains that contain the North Horn Formation. Named after North Horn Mountain, near Castle D ...

but is accessed via a graded road coming from a turnoff to the north, near the town of

Moore Moore may refer to: People * Moore (surname) ** List of people with surname Moore * Moore Crosthwaite (1907–1989), a British diplomat and ambassador * Moore Disney (1765–1846), a senior officer in the British Army * Moore Powell (died c. 1573 ...

. To get to the panel drive to the turnoff between mile markers 16 and 17 on highway 10 between the towns of Emery and Ferron. Take the paved road heading east to Moore for about half a mile. Turn south onto a well-graded road and drive for about 4 miles, passing a radio tower on the way. From the parking lot an obvious hiking trail of about a half mile leads along the side of a small canyon to the panel.

External links

{{commons category, Rochester Rock Art Panel
Rochester and Molen Rock Art
Gigapan at http://www.gigapan.com/gigapans/78627/ Petroglyphs in Utah Fremont culture Native American history of Utah Archaeological sites on the National Register of Historic Places in Utah Geography of Emery County, Utah Tourist attractions in Emery County, Utah National Register of Historic Places in Emery County, Utah