A Petroglyph is an image recorded on stone, usually by prehistoric peoples; the word comes from the Greek words petros meaning "stone" and glyph meaning "to carve". This term is often used to refer to images painted on stone. However, the terms Pictograph or Cave painting are used to describe images painted on stone rather than Petroglyph which, in the strictest sense, refers to carved or engraved images.
These images had deep cultural and religious significance for the societies that created them; in many cases, this significance remains for their descendants. Petroglyphs have been found on all continents except Antarctica.
Examples of petroglyphs can be found at