Rock art of eastern Maine

Machias Bay is a broad inlet of the Gulf of Maine in the far eastern part of the state, and is where the Machias River's mouth is located. The bay is dotted with numerous islands and rock ledges, which are washed by the area's high tides. Two of the bay's interior peninsulas, flanking the river mouth, are noted for their archaeological significance as prehistoric Native American occupation sites, and for their petroglyphs. Birch Point is located on the west side of the bay in Machiasport, and is the site of panels containing at least 57 rock art figures. Holmes Point, in East Machias, is the northernmost promontory of Holmes Bay, and also has a significant series of panels. These panels are typically arranged with the oldest petroglyphs to the seaward side, with a blank panels on the landward side representing the period from the late 18th century forward, when the local Passamaquoddy people lost control of the area.[2]

Located in the bay, roughly midway between Holmes Point and Sprague Neck, the southern promontory of Holmes Bay, lies Hog Island, which is the site of a number of rock art panels. These include examples of anthropomorphic figures that are stylistically distinctive from those found at other sites in the area.[3] Also found there and at Holmes Point are later figures that have a more complex anthropomorphic appearance that simple stick figures.[4] Four panel sites, designated 62.23, 62.24, 62.25, and 62.29, are listed on the National Register.[1]

One rock art site is located well inland from Machias Bay, near the village of Grand Lake Stream. Located on a rock ledge on a historically frequented canoe route, its figures were incised with metal tools, probably in the 19th century, along with pecked pictographs that are apparently of late 20th-century origin. In addition to human figures, there are thunderbird motifs, a serpent or snake figure, and a deer with antlers.[5] This site, designated 94.32, is also on the National Register, and is suggestive that the tradition of rock art creation continues in the local Native community.

Two sites, 62.46 and 62.47, include representations of small European sailing ships. Dr. Mark Hedden, an archaeologist specialized in Maine's rock art, believes them to be consistent with small ships used by Plymouth Colony traders who are known to have paid visits to Machias Bay in the early 1630s. They are located on rock ledges in the bay, and only 62.46 is complete; the panel at 62.47 has suffered spalling, and all of its figures are fragmentary.[6]

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington County, Maine

• Lenik, Edward (2002). Picture Rocks: American Indian Rock Art in the Northeast Woodlands. University Press of New England. ISBN 9781584651970.