Wabanaki Petroglyphs

Did you know that the Downeast area has one of the richest and oldest concentrations of petroglyphs—a form of rock art—in New England? Over three thousand years ago Wabanaki ancestors carved hundreds of animals and human figures, called anthropomorphs, on rock faces around the Cobscook and Machias Bay region. These pictographs were created by pecking out designs with a chiseling stone into softer rock surface and have endured to this day.

On Tuesday, June 30, Passamaquoddy tribal historian Donald Soctomah will present the story of these petroglyphs in a public program at the Lincoln Memorial Library in Dennysville at 6 p.m. An expert on Passamaquoddy history, he is uniquely qualified to share the story of this ancient art form and historical record-keeping. Soctomah runs the Wabanaki Heritage Center and Museum in Indian Township, where he developed a stunning collection of Passamaquoddy tribal artifacts and displays.

This program, sponsored by the Dennys River Historical Society, is one of series on the early history of the area, and is free to the public. Participants can expect to see these unique images in remarkable reproduction. Refreshments will be served.

Call 207-726-3905 for more information about this exciting event. Hope to see you there!

Tribal Historian Donald Soctomah and DRHS President Ron Windhorst at the Wabanki Cultural Center, Indian Township, ME