Contact: Gwendolyn Kristy, 307-766-5366; Gwendolyn.
The site was originally documented by archaeologists Mavis and John Greer, well-known Wyoming archaeologists, in the 1970s and again in the early 2000s. The listing represents the culmination of all research and recording efforts, emphasizing the site’s importance to our understanding of rock art in the Powder River Basin. Stephens, student intern and author of the listing, speaks to the importance of the site, stating, “By design alone, Daly is an impressive feat—it features life-size, highly decorated warrior figures, the retelling of a Crow myth, and inscriptions of Indigenous names from the early 1800s —all carved into the same space.” Stephens continues by saying, “That kind of continuity is incredibly rare in rock art, and it speaks to how important this site really is. In a landscape as vast and sparse as the Powder River Basin, Daly stands out as a uniquely powerful and meaningful place.”
Earlier this year, the Wyoming Legislature passed a bill increasing penalties for damage to rock art sites on state lands. According to State Archaeologist Spencer Pelton, over 150 rock art sites in Wyoming have been vandalized or defaced in some way. The passage of this new bill, along with the listing of the Daly Petroglyphs on the National Register, serves as an important reminder to protect and preserve these significant cultural resources.
The listing comes at a momentous time; the NRHP has officially reached over 100,000 properties listed for their significance to American history, culture, archaeology, engineering, art, and architecture. The NRHP is the official list of the nation’s historic places worthy of preservation, managed by the National Park Service (NPS) and updated weekly. In Wyoming, there are over 600 buildings, archaeological sites, districts, and objects listed on the National Register of Historic Places. If you are interested in learning more about the National Register, please visit nps.gov/subjects/
For more information about the National Register program in Wyoming, contact SHPO's National Register Program Specialist, Cassandra Woster, at 307-777-7530 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more information about the Daly Petroglyphs, contact Gwendolyn Kristy, who leads the NRHP internship program at 307-766-5366 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Figure 1: Edited image of Panel 1 at the site, showing three incised rectangular-bodied warriors, an incised shield-bearing warrior, and a smaller incised rectangular-bodied figure. The petroglyphs are outlined in white. Taken by Mavis Greer. Figure 2: A close-up image shows an incised rectangular-bodied figure and human figures, as well as an abraded hand on the right side of the image. Taken by Mavis Greer.