While in Wrangell, we explored the beach to see Petroglyphs that had been carved long before the white man ever came. These were clearly visible on the rocks directly on the beach. It’s unclear (at least to us) how old these are, but they were carved by the Tlingit Natives many hundreds (perhaps thousands) of years ago.

According to the description from wrangell’s tourism bureau, .. “There is no way to discern the true intent or motivation of the artists. Based on what we know from the archaeological record and cultural ethnographies, petroglyphs may be a form of writing, a method of communication, or a way to record events. There are a variety of possible interpretations: to commemorate victories in war; to document the transfer of wealth or territory in settlement of a feud; important potlatches; shamanistic exploits; or simply the work of visiting Tsimshian or of the Tlingit themselves. They may have a magic- religious significance, using petroglyphs as a ritual device to assure success of the hunt and to increase the supply of game. On the other hand, they may simply have no meaning beyond their artistic conception.”

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