Petroglyphs and Pictographs of Utah by Kenneth Bitner Castleton is a comprehensive study of the ancient rock art of Utah, exploring the rich visual heritage left by Indigenous peoples over thousands of years. The book examines both petroglyphs—images carved or pecked into rock surfaces—and pictographs—painted or drawn figures—tracing their distribution across Utah’s mountains, deserts, and canyonlands.
Castleton provides detailed descriptions of the symbols, motifs, and techniques used by Native artists, situating them within their cultural, religious, and social contexts. The book highlights how these images served as tools for communication, storytelling, ceremonial practice, and territorial marking among the Ute, Paiute, Fremont, and other Indigenous groups of the region.
In addition to cataloging thousands of sites, Castleton discusses the challenges of preservation, interpretation, and the impact of modern development on these fragile cultural resources. The work also considers the ongoing significance of rock art for contemporary Indigenous communities, connecting historical expression with living cultural identity.
Petroglyphs and Pictographs of Utah combines meticulous archaeological research with accessible narrative, making it a valuable resource for scholars, students, rock art enthusiasts, and general readers interested in Native American history, archaeology, and the enduring legacies of Indigenous cultures in the American West.