The Rocks Begin to Speak

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book on Native American written communication!
Review: Anyone who is facinated with Native American cultures and history MUST read this book. It gives a simple but plausible explanation for the rock art found throughout most of America. Clearly, the First Americans were not the "ignorant savages" as the Europeans thought. I recently visited some petroglyph panels in Nevada and having read this book, it gave a new meaning to the stories I saw, as opposed to the park ranger's "hunting party" explanations. Also, I would recommend that anyone serious about understanding rock writings should also study Native American sign languages.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book on Native American written communication!
Review: Anyone who is facinated with Native American cultures and history MUST read this book. It gives a simple but plausible explanation for the rock art found throughout most of America. Clearly, the First Americans were not the "ignorant savages" as the Europeans thought. I recently visited some petroglyph panels in Nevada and having read this book, it gave a new meaning to the stories I saw, as opposed to the park ranger's "hunting party" explanations. Also, I would recommend that anyone serious about understanding rock writings should also study Native American sign languages.

Rating:
Summary: Deciphering rock glyphs
Review: Glyphs carved on rock have been one of the greatest mysteries known to archeologists. Mr. Maritneau believes he knows what they are all about. Mr. Maritneau is a Native American who is skilled in the sign language used by the various groups of Native Americans to communicate with each other when the spoken word failed them. To the uninitiated it is full of obtuse gestures and hand forms, but to the adept, it is clear as words. Mr. Martineau shows, through a multitude of examples, that most rock glyphs are representations of the hand signs used between people. He makes a case for the glyphs as "signs" to somepne looking for something (like a water source) or as directions or warning signals to others, or as simple stories. The book is well organized and easy to follow. It takes the reader through all areas of the USA, Canada and many other parts of the world. The premise is very convincing, but I have not seen much else from professional archeologists to compare it to. Most simply say the glyphs are a mystery!