by Gabriola’s petroglyphs 2
Learning of our interest in petroglyphs, our excellent B&B host on Gabriola Island told us of one accessible trail to one collection of them. We were warned that many are so worn that it is hard to spot them so were pleased to find several though not all photographed well. The best photo of the lot was featured in the previous post. Here are a few that I was able to digitally but gently enhance in order to see the carved images. The last photo is of a glade that we came upon on that trail. We could just imagine a group of long ago First Nations doing a spirit ceremony here, in the quiet stillness in the middle of the forest.
More information to come on Gabriola’s petroglyphs soon…
May 30, 2011 in Canada and BC, Photoworks, Rock Art & Archaeology, Rocks, Travel by Marja-Leena
Very interesting info. Keep up the great work! Best Regards.
I’m wondering how much is known about them, so “more information to come” sounds good. Interesting forms and evocative. But I imagine what they evoke for me is probably quite wrong! Askew from what they were meant to be, that is…
Christopher, thank you.
Marly, I don’t think anyone can be sure what they mean though some experts try to find answers. However there’s nothing wrong in responding to these in your own (delightful) way, is there? Just like the way we respond to any art works, or sometimes not. I don’t really know why I’m drawn to petroglyphs and pictographs other than because they are sometimes so very ancient and are a connection across time to those artists of so long ago. The need to make art has been around for a very long time – is that what makes them human?
Indeed, the stones speak. The lines connect. The artist’s hand still moves us now.
They’re beautiful and very tenderly done considering rock isn’t easily carved. I wish our world could be a combination of that first nations love of the earth and trust in the cosmos. To that we could add scientific discovery and dreams of space.
Rouchswalwe, yes, well said!
Susan, yes, and carving stone requires some skill in making the tools to do it. I have the same wishes too.
they’re exquisite! x
Lovely. Wish you could come out here and photograph some of the Hawaiian petroglyphs. You inspire me to go out and photograph them myself, though.
Elisa, I’m glad you agree!
Hattie, I wish I could too, but in the meantime please do take photos of them. Show and tell!
Early morning, or in the gloaming, then, to be seen properly.
Still, I like your photos.
Zhoen, thanks. Yes, the lower light of early morning or dusk, if sunny, would have been better than that cloudy afternoon, though some of the stones were in the woods. We were worried about rain so took the chance at this opportunity, and I’m not too unhappy with these.
Stories in stone. So much of it is about the early people etching their surroundings on stone. I wonder if they knew that someday their creations would be of much interest to people.
There’re a few back here in India as well, and surely many more yet to be discovered.
Anil, yes, interesting thought. I’ve heard about many discoveries of rock art in India, and so many more places these days. There seems to be a huge interest in all kinds of archeological discoveries around the world that it is hard to keep up with it all.