Rock art (rock painting or carving/chipping) is more common in drier regions of the country than the Upper Midwest — more exposed rock!  It was a treat to see rock art on a recent trip; the most notable location was Newspaper Rock State Historical Monument in Utah.

Newspaper Rock includes rock art from 2000 to 900 years ago, likely from the Archaic, Basketmaker, Fremont, Pueblo, Utahs and Navajo groups of Native Americans.  Meanings and reasons for these carvings aren’t really known. Images are chipped through the dark desert varnish (minerals darkening the surface of the rock) into the lighter-colored sandstone.

Here are some images of Newspaper Rock, click to enlarge:  (The 3rd picture is a closeup)