Correlating etching tool materials with petroglyphs at Writing-On-Stone

Research at Writing-on-Stone (Áísínai’pi) reveals that bone or antler tools were likely used to etch the petroglyphs, aligning with the available materials during the pre-contact era. The study experimentally compared chert, bone/antler, obsidian, and metal tools to determine their compatibility with the existing petroglyph features. Bone/antler emerged as the most plausible material due to its similarity in creating the observed characteristics on the rock face. This finding provides new insights into the techniques and materials used by Indigenous peoples in Southern Alberta, addressing a significant gap in archaeological knowledge about petroglyph production.

Perry, E. M. (2014). Correlating etching tool materials with petroglyphs at Writing-On-Stone. Plains Anthropologist, 60(233), 72–83. https://doi.org/10.1179/2052546x14y.0000000013