Miscellaneous Papers Relating to Anthropology/Rock-Carvings on the Susquehanna River
ROCK-CARVINGS ON THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER.
By F. G. Galbraith, of Bainbridge, Pa.
The rock referred to in this paper was originally 71 feet in length and 10 feet in width. Seventeen feet on the west and 16 on the east remain undisturbed. The center, 38 feet in length, was blasted away many years ago, and the stone used in the construction of a shad-fishery, by which many carvings were undoubtedly destroyed, traces of which I discovered upon fragments of rock lying scattered over the upper end of the island. The rock was evidently a continued mass of sculpturing, and hundreds of these may yet be traced with a little care. A large portion of the east end is becoming detached from the main body, and will in the course of a few years topple over, face foremost, into the river. Many of the carvings, which are undoubtedly of a very remote date, are much defaced by the elements. This statement relates more particularly to those on the north and east ends, which I impute to the changing in the course of the stream at this particular point. The rock being located at the head of Grey Bock Falls, is subject to much wear by swift water. For this reason, and the fact that the rock is composed of talcose slate, it is my impression that the carvings were originally deeply cut, which evidence can again be traced in the east and south end carvings, all of which are much deeper than those on any other portion of the rock. The large circular carving is the only one traceable by compass on the rocks, and faces "nine o'clock, sunrise." The tracings were all taken by actual measurements from deadlines made upon the rock, one perpendicular through the center of the carving and another across. The one from which the tracings were made is slightly enlarged to show it more plainly. The small island (a fishery) which it connects is probably 80 feet long by 20 broad at its widest point. The large rock on the opposite side of the middle channel is about 150 yards distant, having several carvings upon it. I am unable to say whether the spring and fall floods rise sufficiently high to cover the large projecting rocks below the small island so as to change the course of the stream at that point, but do not think so, as the fall of water is about 8 feet to the mile. Mr. French informed me, however, that the rock and island were accessible in very dry seasons, so that it does not appear necessary that boats should have been brought into requisition by the natives, or if so, only in case of high water, while at work upon the rock. The outer rock can only be reached by boat.