Petroglyph Pathways or Geocontourglyphs

Do some Petroglyphs mirror the landforms and topographic features of the Appalachian Plateau? In recent years researchers have begun to redefine some of the symbols found in petroglyphs around the world. Some of these petroglyphs are more specifically Geocontourglyphs, because they incorporate the topography of the surrounding landscape into their message. This article is an attempt to redefine individual petroglyphs in Ohio and Pennsylvania as Petroglyph Maps with visual clues to the surrounding geographic landscape. The roughly drawn abstract animal shapes portrayed on the petroglyphs most likely represent totems naming local tribal leaders, villages, spirits or landforms. The natives often applied Clan names to prominent landmarks, such as rivers, lakes and other permanent landmarks. The petroglyphs may also be incorporating the surrounding terrain as part of the message they are trying to convey.