In Jay Stuart Wakefield’s groundbreaking book, “Colonies on the Backside,” the rich narrative of ancient civilizations’ exploration and colonization takes a surprising turn with his focus on petroglyphs.

Within the pages of this book, the author has discussed intricate carvings etched onto rocks and other surfaces that serve as enduring records, offering a glimpse into the minds and movements of ancient explorers who dared to traverse uncharted territories. Through Wakefield’s lens, these ancient symbols evolve from mere curiosities into crucial evidence of sophisticated maritime activity and intercontinental connections.

Petroglyphs: More than Art

Wakefield’s meticulous study reveals that petroglyphs are far more than artistic expressions or religious symbols; they are functional maps and communication tools. He identifies specific carvings across sites in North and South America, Europe, and other regions that encode vital information about marine routes, colony locations, and celestial navigation. These carvings often incorporate geometric patterns, solar and lunar depictions, and motifs indicative of water and sailing. Wakefield’s analysis underscores how such carvings served as mnemonic devices for ancient sailors, aiding them in their perilous voyages across vast oceans.

One striking example comes from the Azores, a mid-Atlantic archipelago. Here, petroglyphs feature sun symbols and intricate dot patterns that Wakefield interprets as latitude markers and sailing instructions. The detailed configurations suggest knowledge of precise navigation techniques—techniques thought to have been beyond the scope of ancient civilizations.

Tracing Routes Across Oceans

The petroglyphs detailed in Colonies on the Backside highlight maritime routes that connect distant civilizations, effectively rewriting the conventional narrative of isolated ancient cultures. Wakefield’s research points to specific sites, such as Poverty Point in Louisiana and sites in Scandinavia that share similar motifs. These parallels imply a network of cultural exchange driven by oceanic exploration.

For instance, Wakefield’s examination of petroglyphs in Michigan’s Copper Harbor area uncovers connections to Bronze Age European sites. He proposes that the copper mined in this region was a coveted resource transported across the Atlantic via these mapped routes. The carvings here act as signposts, detailing navigational challenges and key stops along transoceanic trade networks.

The Language of Symbols

Wakefield’s work unpacks the symbols embedded in petroglyphs with remarkable clarity. He draws particular attention to recurring patterns such as lozenges, spirals, and zigzag lines—all of which have dual meanings tied to both geography and mythology. The zigzag lines, for example, often denote water or ocean currents, while lozenges may represent units of measure or distances. By contextualizing these carvings within broader archaeological findings, Wakefield bridges the gap between art and functionality.

One of the most captivating insights Wakefield offers is the potential use of petroglyphs as celestial charts. Certain carvings align with the positions of stars or solstices, suggesting that ancient mariners relied on a combination of astronomical observations and carved maps to navigate. These insights challenge the assumption that early sailors were limited to rudimentary navigation techniques, instead presenting a picture of advanced, multidimensional planning.

Reclaiming a Global Narrative

Colonies on the Backside positions petroglyphs as critical artifacts that challenge mainstream archaeological narratives. By arguing for their practical use in navigation and colonization, Wakefield invites readers to reconsider the capabilities and interconnectedness of ancient civilizations. Petroglyphs, often dismissed as mere relics of primitive societies, emerge as testaments to a shared human story of curiosity, resilience, and ingenuity.

Wakefield’s exploration compels us to view these carvings with fresh eyes. Each symbol, line, and indentation becomes a piece of a larger puzzle—a puzzle that reveals the vast scope of human achievement long before modern cartography and navigation systems. For readers and scholars alike, the petroglyphs cataloged in this book are not just historical footnotes but vibrant voices echoing across millennia.