Parowan Gap: Secrets of the Past

When considering the greatest archaeological treasures and the sophistication of the former ancient inhabitants of Utah, the small town of Parowan may not come to mind

Nicole Anderson

November 17, 2018

When considering the greatest archaeological treasures and the sophistication of the former ancient inhabitants of Utah, the small town of Parowan may not come to mind. But in Southern Utah there is a mysterious place known for its sliding sunsets, moon maps, and a strange outcropping of rocks known as the Overseer. Welcome to the Parowan Gap. The Gap is the first complex calendar system in North America dating back to 3000 B.C.

The Gap, as it is known by locals, is a natural 600-foot gap in the mountains and is culturally significant based on a collection of stories from early Hopi, Paiute and other Native American tribes who lived here. Here you will find a gallery of 90 pieces of artwork with roughly 1,500 petroglyphs such as the Zipper Glyph that tell countless stories of the past.

The Zipper Glyph seen from a distance appears to replicate the Gap’s appearance. To the untrained eye it looks like an unzipped zipper on an old pair of jeans and nothing more. Upon closer examination, alongside an experienced guide, one learns that this and other nearby petroglyphs actually depict the monthly lunar cycle with quarter moons and the full moon all shown in detail.

Currently, there is a small group of archaeologists focusing on the calendar system and the alignment of lunar and solar patterns in the area. When visitors come to celebrate the summer solstice they witness the sun rolling down the side of the outcropping of rock, sitting in a notch between the two mountains for a moment before it drops out of sight. In ancient times, it was like a modern-day alarm clock signifying to archaic tribes that summer had begun.

Visitors should look at the horizon for an outcropping of rocks that resemble a face. This is the Overseer. During certain times of the year, the sun sits in the mouth, and then ‘gulps’ as the Overseer seems to swallow the sun, as if to say, “winter is coming” and if visitors are lucky enough to be there in on the right day, they may even see the Overseer swallow the moon.

The Parowan Heritage Foundation currently works alongside the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Paiute Tribe of Utah, and the Hopi Tribe, among other organizations and countless archaeologists and volunteers who desire to protect the area.

Witnessing a sliding sunset or the Overseer swallow the moon, you will realize that you can’t take The Gap in isolation, but you must take it in as a whole. The people. The stories. The rocks. The history. The Zipper-Glyph, and the Overseer—they all come together as one, and as we decipher more of the petroglyphs and stories, we come to a greater understanding and appreciation for the ancient’s way of life.

Hidden Utah, Mysteries, Utah Stories

ancient treasure, archeology, Parowan Gap

Nicole Anderson

Nicole Anderson is a communication professional and freelance writer. She holds a master’s degree in Strategic Communications from Westminster College and a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Utah. She is a certified Utah Master Naturalist in Wetlands, and has spent many years researching the Great Salt Lake. Anderson co-founded the blog, Summer of Salt, where she spent three summers exploring the shorelines of Great Salt Lake. In 2010, Anderson was commissioned to write, “Patterns of Change” which documented bird and human usage in Bear River Bay, and she later had a role in the 2012 documentary, “Evaporating Shorelines.” Anderson teaches intercultural and interpersonal communication at Salt Lake Community College. She has written as a freelance author for ten plus years. Her stories and articles have appeared in Airboating Magazine, Gateway Magazine, Utah Stories, and Utah Life Magazine, among several other print and online publications. Anderson has a passion to protect landscapes and places that cannot speak for themselves.

Utah Stories

The Utah Farm That Refuses to Give Up as Development Closes In

Running a farm is hard enough, but rapid city growth makes it even tougher. More than a decade ago, the late Verl Cook faced a series of staggering hurdles that threatened to wipe out his family’s livelihood.

First, the city decided to treat the Cook’s greenhouse — the most profitable part of the farm — like a big-box retail store. They demanded the family build a paved parking lot, a project that would cost $200,000.
Farms

Future Craft Farm Launches First CSA Season in Salt Lake City

Hall and Scheig found their land last June and broke ground just two months later, transforming what was essentially a blank canvas into a diversified market garden. This year marks their first full growing season, and they’re launching it with a community supported agriculture program, or CSA. CSAs allow people to support local growers by purchasing a season’s worth of produce upfront, giving farmers the financial stability they need during the most expensive part of the year.
Utah Stories

Utah’s Housing Debate Misses the Question That Matters Most

A generation ago, homeownership was not reserved for the affluent. Working-class families bought modest homes on modest incomes. They built equity, raised families, and entered retirement with a valuable asset largely paid for.

Today, many Utah families find themselves in a different position. They may earn too much to qualify for housing assistance but too little to purchase a home. They rent apartments that consume an increasing share of their income while saving for a down payment becomes increasingly difficult.
Food & Drink

A Perfect Night in Downtown Salt Lake City: Little America, Beerhive, and STK

Staycations in one’s own town always sounded to me like something old, feeble, and tired couples do. For younger people, adventure has always seemed to inhabit the other side of the fence, right alongside the greener grass.

But sometimes extreme situations call for extreme measures.