Science: Petroglyph Rescue

In a desolate gorge of the Columbia River 85 miles upstream from Portland, Ore., a rescue party was working last week to save one of the most interesting relics of America's distant past. Water, backed up by the great new dam at The Dalles, will soon cover the strange rock carvings in Petroglyph Canyon. No one knows who carved the animals, sunbursts and strange, maplike designs in the hard basalt, or when or why they did it. But the fascinating mystery will never be solved if deep water is permitted to cover the evidence.

A contractor paid by the National Park Service...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!