petroglyph

[ pe-troh-glif, pe-truh- ]

noun

1. an image, design, or message carved or drawn on rock by a member of an ancient or prehistoric people. Compare ammoglyph ( def ), dendroglyph ( def ), geoglyph ( def ).

petroglyph

/ ˈpɛtrəˌɡlɪf /

noun

1. a drawing or carving on rock, esp a prehistoric one

Other Words From

• pet·ro·glyph·ic [pe-tr, uh, -, glif, -ik], adjective
• pe·trog·ly·phy [pi-, trog, -l, uh, -fee], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of petroglyph¹

First recorded in 1865–70; from French pétroglyphe; equivalent to petro- ¹ + glyph

Word History and Origins

Origin of petroglyph¹

C19: via French from Greek petra stone + gluphē carving

Example Sentences

They said the monument status helped protect cultural resources, including petroglyphs and centuries-old cave dwellings.

From Los Angeles Times

He notes that the study is one of the first to center on rock art engravings, or petroglyphs, in the Amazon.

From Science Magazine

Some boulders are decorated with petroglyphs older than all of our leading presidential candidates put together.

From Los Angeles Times

There also have been others cases of vandalism on federal land across the West over the past decade, with visitors defacing petroglyphs, toppling rock features and pounding climbing bolts into centuries-old rock art.

From Seattle Times

According to NASA, one of the oldest recorded eclipses in human history may have been on Nov. 30, 3340 BCE, as petroglyphs were found at the Loughcrew Megalithic Monument in County Meath, Ireland.

From Salon