The Rocks Begin to Speak [Hardcover]

Lavan Martineau (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1976

Unlock the secrets of petroglyphs and pictographs, and open the door to an understanding of precolumbian cultures.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 210 pages
• Publisher: KC Publications, Inc.; 4th edition (June 1, 1976)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0916122301
• ISBN-13: 978-0916122300
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,510 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on Native American written communication!, February 5, 1999

By 

Brian G. Williams (Pocatello, ID USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Rocks Begin to Speak (Hardcover)

Anyone who is facinated with Native American cultures and history MUST read this book. It gives a simple but plausible explanation for the rock art found throughout most of America. Clearly, the First Americans were not the "ignorant savages" as the Europeans thought. I recently visited some petroglyph panels in Nevada and having read this book, it gave a new meaning to the stories I saw, as opposed to the park ranger's "hunting party" explanations. Also, I would recommend that anyone serious about understanding rock writings should also study Native American sign languages.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Deciphering rock glyphs, February 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Rocks Begin to Speak (Hardcover)

Glyphs carved on rock have been one of the greatest mysteries known to archeologists. Mr. Maritneau believes he knows what they are all about. Mr. Maritneau is a Native American who is skilled in the sign language used by the various groups of Native Americans to communicate with each other when the spoken word failed them. To the uninitiated it is full of obtuse gestures and hand forms, but to the adept, it is clear as words. Mr. Martineau shows, through a multitude of examples, that most rock glyphs are representations of the hand signs used between people. He makes a case for the glyphs as "signs" to somepne looking for something (like a water source) or as directions or warning signals to others, or as simple stories. The book is well organized and easy to follow. It takes the reader through all areas of the USA, Canada and many other parts of the world. The premise is very convincing, but I have not seen much else from professional archeologists to compare it to. Most simply say the glyphs are a mystery!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Rocks Begin to Speak, July 5, 2010

By 

readerliz - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Rocks Begin to Speak (Hardcover)

Recently I purchased a copy of this book at a park gift store, for a gift. It was a copy from the 8th printing. After reading almost all of the new book, which I very much liked, I wanted another copy for someone else. No new copies were available, so I ordered what I considered might be the best used copy from Amazon. The used book arrived, it was in excellent condition, but was one from the 5th printing. As the introduction may be different in different printings I wish used copies would list what printing a particular copy is from. The author of the book updated the book during his lifetime, and mentioned this fact in the epilog. As I now no longer had the copy from the 8th printing I don't know if the introduction was actually different. The slip cover on the book was different, but less attractive than the later edition. The delivery estimate for the book was June 2nd, but the book didn't arrive until July 2nd, a bit long, and later than the date for which I actually wanted the book.