When Europeans settled in America, the Native Americans residing on the land did not use writing as communication. Rather, they told stories and created pictorial symbols to do so. These creations of pictorial symbols are known as petroglyphs, which were made by carving characters into stone surfaces. There are many reasons for why Native Americans have created petroglyphs, but many of these reasons are, to this day, not fully understood. Petroglyphs are more than just mere rock art or picture writing; the stories produced by these petroglyphs embody powerful culture that represent the complex society and religions of Native American tribes.
Petroglyph-Influenced Clay Square
Made own rendition of petroglyphic messaging and storytelling using a clay square and imprinting various shapes on the tile. The curved Cs and rings under it represent stormy clouds, and the long carved lines represent rain falling. The buds in the corner represent the people and the serrated lines above the buds symbolize the roofs of the houses that protect the people. Lastly, the set of lines on each corner are symbolic of heavy rainfall because the roofs are not there. Handcrafted by Andrew Lee.
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