Guidebook to responsibly exploring petroglyphs along Susquehanna coming to local museums [The Scribbler]

Paul Nevin lives in a converted sawmill along a small tributary to the Susquehanna River at Accomac, York County, but he spends much of his free time about 15 miles downriver, just below Safe Harbor Dam.

Nevin has meticulously examined distinctive carvings on six rocks in the river below the dam. The carvings, called petroglyphs, were made by Indigenous people who lived here before Europeans arrived.

"The petroglyphs are an extraordinary cultural resource,'' says the 68-year-old amateur archaeologist and specialist in restoring historic structures. "We need to protect them for future generations.''

As one way of protecting the carvings, Nevin has published "A Guide to the Safe Harbor Petroglyphs,'' a 62-page commentary on possible meanings of this "rock art,'' as well as an exhortation to water-borne visitors to protect the iconographic images.

"When people become aware of the cultural significance,'' he explains, "they treat it with more respect.''

Informing more people about petroglyph rocks that were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 is a relatively recent idea.

Four decades ago, when Nevin began studying the carvings, many archaeologists dismissed the rocks as unworthy of serious study. They also believed that not publicizing the rocks would deter vandalism.

Nevin has taken a different approach. People already know the rocks exist, he says. What they need to know is how special they are and how they should be treated by boaters.

His guide tells visitors how to minimize damage to the petroglyphs by tying their boats correctly to the rocks and by walking on them in bare feet. "Rock art etiquette,'' you might call it. He suggests that he or another guide be employed to expedite visits to the rocks in a river that can be treacherous.

The guidebook also tells readers what the rocks mean to Nevin and may have meant to the people who carved them, probably 500 to 1,000 years ago. He says images that appear to be birds, snakes, bears and other features have larger implications when studied in the context of American Indian cultures and their environment.

The two major petroglyph rocks that remain visible above water levels altered by the dam are Big and Little Indian rocks. They contain scores of carvings originally recorded in 1863.

Nevin has documented four additional rocks nearby with dozens of additional petroglyphs. He believes all of the carvings were made by the people known as the Shenks Ferry Indians, who lived in this area before the Susquehannocks arrived.

Whatever the petroglyphs may have meant to their makers, Nevin writes, "these are sacred images in a sacred place. Creating the petroglyphs was, in itself, likely a sacred activity.''

How can this sacred but exposed site be protected?

There's a viewing scope on the Low Grade Trail's railroad trestle from which anyone can see activity on or near the rocks. With more guided tours going out to the rocks, more eyes are watching them. State law provides penalties for damaging an archaeological site.

Describing how he feels about his essential role in preserving and explaining the petroglyphs, Nevin marvels, "How lucky I am to be able to do this.''

Nevin's guide includes color photos of the rocks and their petroglyphs, as well as maps showing their locations in the river. It sells for $14.95 at safeharborpetroglyphs.com and soon will be available at local museums and heritage centers.