Saturday, July 07, 2012

...Exploring WV...THE HORSE CREEK PETROGLYPHS...

...We finally made it to THE HORSE CREEK PETROGLYPH OF WEST VIRGINIA...I talked a little bit about it when we first learned about the petroglyphs at the Museum...the amazing thing about these petroglyphs is that they were carved between 500 and 800 A.D. and use Ogam... ...these wonderful petroglyphs are on private property and you'll need to contact the owners at sassysallylynn@yahoo.com to arrange for a visit...
...and so started our hike...

...walking on tracks is hard...the ties don't quite match my stride...so it's kinda awkward...see that bridge ahead...

...on this side there's no railing...so it's quite a drop off...

...on this side there's a railing...that's my teeny little shadow way down there...

...dusty boots on the grid...it's dizzy-ing...
...there was lots of overhanging rock...

...and some steep cliffs too...
...the path to the creek is steep...Scout's holding on to a tree as he descends...

...then the trail levels out...

...along the creek bed...

...we walk past some sheer rock faces...

...and then we see the petroglyphs tucked in under an overhang...

...the Ogam is remarkably clear...and amazingly...you can walk right up to the site...
...and a funny Ipod picture of me...taking a picture...HA!

...so after 'reading' the text here we walked on...

...it was just beautiful here...

...and continuing up the creek...we found several other scribbles...

...I'm not sure about the purpose of all these other texts...

...or if they've all be deciphered...probably so...

...some were pretty easy to find...

...and some were hard to find...tucked down near the leaves...

...but it sure was fun scrambling around the rocks trying to find them...

...finally we walked back to the steep trail and headed home...

...it was a lovely day!...hoping yours was too!

16 comments:

  1. those are amazing! you've done WV proud, Teresa, well done.

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  2. That was a good hike. And the petroglyphs are very interesting. I must learn more about them. MOM

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  3. hey - i went over to the wiki link you added. wonder how they used that script that appeared to be only used in ireland/england/scotland? neat, though. love, k

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  4. Looks like quite a trek to see the petroglyphs. Glad you had on the right kind of hiking boots and glad you didn't meet an on coming train!

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  5. That is just so amazing. To see marks someone made all those thousands of years ago, quite fantastic.

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  6. So very cool! Looks like something that's right up our alley of interests. If ever we find ourselves in WV, we'll have to check it out. Here in our "back yard" at a park called Writing on Stone, we have native american petroglyphs, they are spectacular!

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  7. Hi,I am a missionary living in Scotland. My mother in law lives in West Virginia, and we are visiting her for a couple of weeks. In Scotland, I live just about 3 hours away from where St. Brendan was from. He was the Celtic Saint who made the incredible voyage from Scotland to America around 500 AD. He is the one who would have made these markings. I have studies his life and had heard about these markings, but had no idea how to find them. Your blog post was incredible! I went looking for them today, and thanks to this post, I walked right to them. Thank you so so much for taking the time to post your trip in detail. I never would have found them otherwise.

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  8. Hi,I am a missionary living in Scotland. My mother in law lives in West Virginia, and we are visiting her for a couple of weeks. In Scotland, I live just about 3 hours away from where St. Brendan was from. He was the Celtic Saint who made the incredible voyage from Scotland to America around 500 AD. He is the one who would have made these markings. I have studies his life and had heard about these markings, but had no idea how to find them. Your blog post was incredible! I went looking for them today, and thanks to this post, I walked right to them. Thank you so so much for taking the time to post your trip in detail. I never would have found them otherwise.

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  9. @The CantersHi Canters,

    I'm so glad you were able to find the petroglyphs...we've only been in WV a short time and were amazed to hear of the carvings...there are more too that we are anxious to find...I visited your blogs too!...Very best wishes with your missionary work...

    ~Affectioknit-ly,

    Teresa

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  10. I managed to find another set about 50 miles south of Julian outside of a town called Oceana. Here is the website that led me to this one.

    http://www.wvexp.com/index.php/Wyoming_County_Petroglyph

    Also, here is an article I found that draws the connection between the Markings and st Brendan. I don't know anything else about this website, but the article is quite fascinating. And, if it's true, then St Brendan would have discovered Anerica about 1000 years before Columbus. And seemingly would have evangelized the native indian tribes in the area by what was said in the inscriptions.

    http://www.apostle1.com/pascha_2006/celtic_monks_discovered_here_in_usa.htm

    Blessings,
    Lance

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  11. These petroglyphs are located on property that is owned by myself and three others. We have had numerous scientists/archeologists visit the petroglyphs, at their request. However, most of them do obtain permission from a family member first, being that it IS private property. Also, we are very careful as to who we let into the property for various reasons. We realize these petroglyphs are a phenomenal sight, but we ask that anyone who wants to view these, to please respect our wishes and contact a family member for entrance to the property. My name is Sally Price. I am a co-owner and my email address is sassysallylynn@yahoo.com.

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    1. Is there still a way to contact you to arrange a visit to this site?

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    2. Hi...and thanks for stopping by Affectioknit...a friend took me to the petroglyph site when we lived in WV...but in the comment Sally Price said that you could contact her at sassysallylynn@yahoo.com...not sure if it's still valid though...I hope so...it was a fun visit...
      ~Have a lovely day!

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  12. These petroglyphs are located on property that is owned by myself and three others. We have had numerous scientists/archeologists visit the petroglyphs, at their request. However, most of them do obtain permission from a family member first, being that it IS private property. Also, we are very careful as to who we let into the property for various reasons. We realize these petroglyphs are a phenomenal sight, but we ask that anyone who wants to view these, to please respect our wishes and contact a family member for entrance to the property. My name is Sally Price. I am a co-owner and my email address is sassysallylynn@yahoo.com.

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    1. I would love to see your map that says you own that property

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  13. Growing up, I lived across the river from these. All of my life I was told these were Indian writings. I was talking about them at work and decided if I could find some pictures of them online. Imagine my surprise when I discovered they were petroglyphs from the 500ad. The fact that they are Biblical is amazing to me.

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