petroglyph

/ˌpɛtrəˈglɪf/

Other forms: petroglyphs

A petroglyph is an ancient rock carving or painting. Antarctica is the only continent where petroglyphs haven't been discovered.

One of the best-known North American examples of prehistoric rock art can be seen at the Petroglyph National Monument in New Mexico, where more than 25,000 designs were carved into volcanic rock by Indigenous Americans. Some petroglyphs illustrate daily life or maps, while others appear to be early symbolic languages. The word comes from the French pétroglyphe and Greek roots petra, "rock," and glyphē, "carving."

Definitions of petroglyph

1. noun

   a carving or line drawing on rock (especially one made by prehistoric people)
   type of:

   carving, cutting

   removing parts from hard material to create a desired pattern or shape