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National Register of Historic Places, Wayne County, WV
Item 5 of 5
These prehistoric petroglyphs were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The site is also sometimes called the Turkey Rock Petroglyphs and contains several carvings of what appear to be birds and perhaps a beaver-like creature.

photo of Wildcat Branch Petroglyphs

photo of Wildcat Branch Petroglyphs

photo of Wildcat Branch Petroglyphs

photo of Wildcat Branch Petroglyphs

field sketch of Wildcat Branch Petroglyphs

field sketch of Wildcat Branch Petroglyphs
The Wildcat Petroglyphs are thought to have been created sometime during the Late Woodland Period of history—between 500-1000 C.E.—although their exact date is unclear, as are their likely creators and purpose. It is believed that they were likely carved by Native Americans or their ancestors.

Since the carvings are made into a flat, nearly ground-level rock located on privately-owned land, possibly even in the backyard of a local home, not much is known about their current status, and not many photos of them even exist (or are at least nearly impossible to locate).

The rock on which the carvings were made is roughly 8 feet in diameter and is located less than 100 feet away from a creek called Wildcat Branch, which meets the Big Sandy River less than a mile away.

Roughly twenty years ago, an art history professor of the University of Central Arkansas visited the petroglyphs as part of his journey to find and learn more about several petroglyphs in the area. Upon visiting, the professor, Reinaldo Morales Jr., reported that the petroglyphs, at the time, were located in the backyard of a private residence. At this time, he wrote, there were also several words drawn onto the rock with chalk, but the site was generally in good condition.

Martin, Dave. "Petroglyphs." Martin Collection. 16 June, 2019. http://www.martincollection.net/sites/petroglyphs/index.cfm.

Morales Jr., Reinaldo. "Curriculum Vitae." Dito Morales. 16 June, 2019. https://ditomorales.com/cv/CV_MORALES.pdf. 

Morales Jr., Reinaldo. "Virginia, West Virginia & Ohio." Dito Morales, North America Journal. 29 June, 2002. 26 June, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20110623034410/http://www.ditomorales.com/americas/na2.htm#wildcat.

"Wildcat Branch Petroglyphs." West Virginia Encyclopedia. last modified 19 November, 2007. 16 June, 2019. http://www.wvexp.com/index.php/Wildcat_Branch_Petroglyphs.

"Wildcat Branch Petroglyphs." West Virginia Explorer. 16 June, 2019. https://wvexplorer.com/attractions/prehistoric/wildcat-branch-petroglyphs/.