Hidden Thunder

With an eye toward preservation, Schrab and Boszhardt take you with them as they research, document, and interpret the petroglyphs and pictographs made in previous millennia. In addition to publicly accessible sites such as Wisconsin’s Roche-A-Cri State Park and Minnesota’s Jeffers Petroglyphs, Hidden Thunder covers the artistic treasures found at several remote and inaccessible rock art sites in the Upper Midwest—revealing the ancient stories through words, full-color photographs, and Schrab’s watercolor renditions. Offering the dual perspectives of scientist and artist, Boszhardt shares the facts that archaeologists have been able to establish about these important artifacts of our early history, while Schrab offers the artist’s experience, describing her emotional and creative response upon encountering and painting these sites.

Viewpoints by members of the Menominee, Ho-Chunk, Ojibwe, and other Native nations offer additional insight on the historic and cultural significance of these sites. Together these myriad voices reveal layers of meaning and cultural context that emphasize why these fragile resources—often marred by human graffiti and mishandling or damage from the elements—need to be preserved.

“The powerful ancient drawings stand with great meaning to those who understand the symbolism, and it saddens me that many of the existing sites have been and are continually being vandalized. We are grateful for the work being done by Ernie and Geri to preserve in some way what our ancestors have left behind.”

—Joey Awonohopay, Director of Language and Culture for the Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin

“Hidden Thunder combines respect for Native culture with a deep appreciation of indigenous rock art. Personal experiences and artistic insights are mixed with scientific observations to produce a balanced view of the art found in these often-sacred spaces.”

—Thor Conway, archaeologist, anthropologist, and author of five books on Native American rock art, history, and culture