History Left A Definite Mark At This One Fascinating Spot In Minnesota

While it's not the oldest state in the country, Minnesota is still home to a great number of historic sites. Founded in 1858, we have almost 160 years of history - and that doesn't even count the many centuries this land was inhabited before statehood. History has left its mark in every corner of the state, but there is one fascinating spot in particular that contains a particularly large helping of human history.

Jeffers Petroglyphs is a large sheet of pink quartzite tucked onto the floor of Minnesota's native prairie.

The quartzite is common in Minnesota's prairie, with other famous examples located at Blue Mounds State Park and Pipestone National Monument.

The quartzite at Jeffers Petroglyphs is unique because it is riddled with dozens of carvings, or petroglyphs.

Many of the carvings on the 50-yard by 300-yard sheet of rock are thought to be up to 7,000 years old.

The most recent were carved only 250 years ago. The Minnesota Historical Society notes that this may make Jeffers Petroglyphs the oldest continuously used sacred site in the world.

They are the remains of a thriving American Indian people who lived here long ago. The carvings depict buffalo hunts, turtles, thunderbirds, and other aspects of the environment.

There are more recent markings as well. Old wagon trails cut through the rock, a reminder of when Minnesota was still largely unsettled.

A visit to Jeffers Petroglyphs is a fascinating look at our state's ancient history.

It's also very beautiful. Surrounded by waving prairie grass, with the markings of an ancient people, you will be taken back to earlier times.

Jeffers Petroglyphs is located at 27160 County Road 2 in Comfrey, Minnesota. It costs $8 for adults and $6 for seniors, students, and youth 17 and younger.

Have you ever been to Jeffers Petroglyphs? What was your experience? For more historic places to visit in Minnesota, check out our list of 7 trails in Minnesota that will take you to extraordinary ancient ruins.