The Butler Wash Petroglyph Panels are a significant archaeological site located in southeastern Utah, USA. These rock art panels are believed to have been created by the Ancestral Puebloans, also known as the Anasazi, approximately 800 years ago.
The panels are situated along Butler Wash, which runs parallel to Comb Ridge, a prominent geological feature in the area. The site is part of the Bears Ears National Monument and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
One of the most notable panels in the area is the Procession Panel, a 15-foot long petroglyph panel thought to represent a ceremonial gathering or migration story. This panel depicts three lines of 179 human-like figures marching in single file and converging on a large circle. The artwork also includes images of deer, bighorn sheep, elk, and various geometric shapes.
The Procession Panel is located high on a cliff face, requiring a moderate 2.8-mile round trip hike to access. The trail to the panel is unmarked to help protect the site from excessive visitation and potential vandalism.
Another significant site in the area is the Wolfman Panel, which features a large anthropomorphic figure with coyote-like characteristics.
These petroglyph panels provide valuable insights into the culture and beliefs of the Ancestral Puebloans who once inhabited this region. The rock art is thought to reflect various aspects of their lives, including clan symbols, migrations, and possibly shamanic practices.
Visitors to the Butler Wash Petroglyph Panels are advised to follow strict guidelines to preserve these fragile archaeological sites. This includes not touching the rock art, as oils from human hands can degrade the rock surface, and refraining from any activities that might disturb the site or nearby ruins.
The Butler Wash area, including these petroglyph panels, continues to be an important subject of study for archaeologists and anthropologists seeking to understand the prehistoric cultures of the American Southwest.
