Holbrook in Navajo County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Newspaper Rock
When rocks are exposed to the elements, a patina called “desert varnish” forms on the surface. Native people used sharp tools to chip into this veneer of iron and manganese oxides, clay minerals, and organic material, revealing the lighter colored rock beneath. The various shades of desert varnish are due to the amounts and ratio of minerals present. Blacker shades tend to be higher in manganese oxides, while redder tones indicated a higher amount of iron oxides.
The great variety of petroglyphs on Newspaper Rock includes anthropomorphs (human-like figures), zoomorphs (animal-like figures), katsinas (spiritual figures), hands and tracks, and geometrics.
Spotting scopes are provided to help you examine the petroglyphs below this overlook.
Erected by Petrified National Forest Services.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Native Americans.
Location. 34° 57.715′ N, 109° 47.935′ W. Marker is in Holbrook, Arizona, in Navajo County. Marker can be reached from Newspaper Spur, on the right when traveling west. Turn left onto Newspaper Spur from Petrified Forest Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Holbrook AZ 86025, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs Archeological District (a few steps from this marker); Whispers from the Past (approx. 0.9 miles away); A Canvas for Ideas (approx. 0.9 miles away); Summer Solstice Marker (approx. 0.9 miles away); Meaning of Place (approx. 0.9 miles away); Life in the Village (approx. one mile away); Village on the Rio Puerco (approx. one mile away); Santa Fe Railroad (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Holbrook.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2018. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2013, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 486 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 29, 2013, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.