A dark colored petroglyph along the Stikine River has a local couple asking about its history and purpose.
Near the petroglyph is a treasure map of sorts carved into a birch tree. The directions point to where the stone was unearthed beneath sand near the river’s edge.
A discovery of a petroglyph along the Stikine River last year by Wrangellites Don and Bonnie Roher has the couple asking questions about the purpose and location of the rock artwork.
The Rohers discovered the previously buried monolith under the sand near Shakes Creek last year during a trip up river – and the couple are now propounding a theory that the area the stone was found in was a gathering place for Tlingit and Tahltan traders from the Alaskan coast and Canadian interior.
“I heard about this legend, that it was a meeting place for the trading parties, from Dick Stokes a number of years ago,” Don said. “So, I figured we needed to go out and look for this before it was too late and it was lost to time.”
The Rohers were paddling from Telegraph Creek back to Wrangell when they made a stop on the Canadian side of the river at Shakes Creek. It was there they discovered a treasure map etched forever into nature via a birch tree.
“We pulled in and saw some regular petroglyph like we have in Wrangell, but then we saw the tree with the directions and an arrow etched into it,” he added.
The tree, which is near the eastern edge of the Stikine, is marked with an arrow and a direction to walk “10 paces” where an “X” marks the spot.
Most of the time that spot is located under water. During the Roher’s trip, however, the site was exposed.
“Somebody had gotten there before us and had dug around and down two to three feet,” Bonnie said.
The petroglyph found under the sand is a large, dark colored stone, with numerous designs etched into it in reverse, with the light colored images standing out distinctly from the rock.
Charter operator Eric Yancey has been to the petroglyph a number of times and said he believes the stone should be studied.
“I really couldn’t tell you how old it is, even though it looks newer than most,” he said. “You have to remember, though, it has been buried for quite a while so it could have been preserved. We should look at it and figure out when it’s from.”
The Rohers add that they want the petroglyph to be studied while it is still accessible. The Canadian Forest Service was unavailable for comment by deadline for this story.
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