Kejimkujik Petroglyphs

Along the shores of Kejimkujik Lake in Nova Scotia, more than 500 petroglyphs are etched into the smooth slate bedrock of Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site.

The Mi’kmaq have lived, hunted, and fished in the Kejimkujik area since time immemorial. Their enduring presence is documented through oral histories and numerous archaeological sites, including ancient campsites, fish weirs, and burial grounds.

These remarkable stone carvings serve as a visual record of Mi’kmaq history, offering a glimpse into life before and after European contact. While some petroglyphs are estimated to be 800–1,000 years old, many depict Mi’kmaq life between the 17th and 19th centuries.

The carvings illustrate various aspects of Mi’kmaq culture and daily life, including traditional clothing, canoes, animals, and hunting scenes. Particularly notable are depictions of the distinctive peaked hats worn by Mi’kmaw women, ocean-going canoes, and rare examples of artists' signatures written in Mi’kmaw script.

Other carvings document encounters with Europeans, depicting sailing ships, firearms, and European figures. Together, these images preserve centuries of Mi’kmaq history, culture, and encounters with a changing world.