Albuquerque Petroglyphs

Historical marker location:

I-25, Albuquerque, New Mexico

( Off I-25 east of Paradise Hills)

Over 15,000 petroglyphs have been carved into the lava rock which covers the mesa west of the Rio Grande. The earliest of these rock drawings were made by prehistoric inhabitants almost 3000 years ago. Many others were added by Pueblo peoples and later by Spanish explorers and settlers. This gallery of ancient art is interpreted at Petroglyph State Park 6 miles should of here.

In the early 1800s, New Mexico became an important center for trade along the Santa Fe Trail, which connected Missouri to Santa Fe. The trail was used by traders, trappers, and settlers to transport goods and supplies across the frontier.