Seirer_171103_3893.jpgA Human Form, In Stone Josh Svaty, Ellsworth farmer, uses a stick to point out to Bethany College students the carving of a figure found in exposed sandstone near Kanopolis Reservoir. Svaty, who searches for and catalogs petroglyphs created by American Indians in central Kansas, led the tour for Bethany instructor Kristin Van Tassel's writing class. Petroglyphs are numerous in Ellsworth County, which is rich in sandstone in the Dakota geological formation. The exposed rocks are ancient — perhaps 100 million years old — and soft, thus easily carved. But because of that softness, the rock also is easily eroded and it's believed the Indian carvings were done within the past few hundred years. The Indian carvings are bold and powerful, often depicting the human form, animals and geometric designs. (Note that the rock Svaty is explaining has more recently been carved with initials; that work is considered as graffiti and explains why landowners and petroglyph aficionados are reluctant to disclose the locations of historic carvings.)

Josh Svaty, Ellsworth farmer, uses a stick to point out to Bethany College students the carving of a figure found in exposed sandstone near Kanopolis Reservoir. Svaty, who searches for and catalogs petroglyphs created by American Indians in central Kansas, led the tour for Bethany instructor Kristin Van Tassel's writing class. Petroglyphs are numerous in Ellsworth County, which is rich in sandstone in the Dakota geological formation. The exposed rocks are ancient — perhaps 100 million years old — and soft, thus easily carved. But because of that softness, the rock also is easily eroded and it's believed the Indian carvings were done within the past few hundred years. The Indian carvings are bold and powerful, often depicting the human form, animals and geometric designs. (Note that the rock Svaty is explaining has more recently been carved with initials; that work is more akin to graffiti and explains why landowners and petroglyph aficionados are reluctant to disclose the locations of historic carvings.)