The Mysterious Petroglyphs of St. John: Who Carved Them and Why?

Jungle Clues and Ancient Faces: My Unexpected Detour from Beach Bliss

Most travelers come to St. John for the powdery white sand and turquoise water—but not me. Not this time. Somewhere between rum punch and reef snorkeling, I found myself lacing up my hiking shoes, ditching the sunbed, and heading into the rainforest in search of something far older and far more mysterious: the St. John petroglyphs.

Hidden deep within Virgin Islands National Park along the Reef Bay Trail, these enigmatic rock carvings sit quietly beside a freshwater pool. These ancient carvings, known as the St. John petroglyphs, have puzzled archaeologists, inspired travelers, and become one of the most mysterious attractions in the Virgin Islands. They aren’t flashy. They don’t even have signs pointing them out. But their silence speaks volumes. And if you ask the right people—or just listen carefully—you might feel like those faces in the stone are still watching.

Unraveling the mystery of the St. John petroglyphs—who carved these faces into stone, and why do they still watch us centuries later?

What Exactly Are the St. John Petroglyphs?

The St. John petroglyphs are a collection of around 20 carvings etched into volcanic rock at the edge of a quiet freshwater pool deep in the jungle. These carvings include stylized human faces with oval eyes, spirals, and geometric shapes. Some are carved high, others low. All appear purposeful, symbolic, and surprisingly precise considering they were likely made using sharpened stone or coral tools.

Are these faces human, spirit… or something else entirely? Their symmetry and precision leave room for wonder.

Their placement isn’t random. The carvings sit just above a small reflecting pool, and when the water is calm, the faces mirror back at you. It’s eerie, sacred, cinematic—and maybe even intentional.

Archaeologists believe they date back as far as 900 CE, possibly even earlier, with some estimates placing them between 500 and 1500 CE, spanning both the Ostionoid and Taino periods. These are not random doodles. They are spiritual signatures etched by a vanished civilization.

Who Were the Taino?

The Taino were part of the larger Arawakan-speaking groups that migrated up through South America into the Caribbean. By the time Columbus arrived in 1493, the Taino had long settled the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and much of the Greater Antilles.

Taino spirituality centered around zemis—gods, spirits, or ancestral figures connected to nature. These deities were honored through rituals, carvings, ceremonies, and offerings. Nature wasn’t just a backdrop to life—it was sacred.

The St. John petroglyphs are believed to be connected to this belief system. The site’s tranquil pool, surrounded by dense jungle and hidden from the beaten path, aligns with how the Taino chose sacred spaces. The carvings may represent zemis or be a part of water-related ceremonies, as water was thought to be a bridge between worlds.

These carvings are some of the few surviving traces of the Taino's spiritual worldview carved directly into nature.

How and When Were the St. John petroglyphs Discovered?

While the carvings were likely always known to locals—especially enslaved Africans and laborers working on the Reef Bay sugar plantations in the 18th and 19th centuries—the petroglyphs weren’t documented formally until 1933, when Danish archaeologist Gudmund Hatt published photos and descriptions of them in a report for the Danish National Museum.

Still, they remained relatively obscure for decades, largely overshadowed by colonial ruins and beaches. It wasn’t until the 1980s that more serious archaeological surveys began under the University of the Virgin Islands and National Park Service.

These studies unearthed Taino-era pottery shards and tools nearby, confirming that this location had ceremonial importance. There were no domestic structures near the site—suggesting that this was never a place for everyday life, but rather for sacred rites or seasonal gatherings.

How Do We Know the Petroglyphs Are Taino?

There’s no written record, but archaeologists rely on three main clues:

1. Stylistic similarities – The faces and spiral forms match carvings found at other Taino sites in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

   
   

2. Cultural parallels – Water and stone were central to Taino spiritual rituals, and the reflective pool is consistent with ceremonial practices.

   
   

3. Tool evidence – Coral and sharpened stone tools have been found in the region—tools capable of carving volcanic rock.

   
   

   The St. John petroglyphs sit just above the waterline in a deliberate arrangement, suggesting their placement wasn’t accidental. This site may have been used to invoke or communicate with zemis, using water as a mirror between worlds.

Why This Place?

The closer you get, the weirder it feels. These symbols weren’t just decoration—they were messages.

The location—remote, forested, quiet—adds to the mystique. For the Taino, water was sacred, often considered a portal between worlds. This pool, with its glassy surface and surrounding cliffs, fits descriptions found in early Spanish writings of places where the Taino performed rituals to communicate with their ancestors.

Researchers believe this site might have been:

• A ceremonial pilgrimage site

• A fertility shrine

• A place of initiation or burial rites

  
  

Some of the spirals carved into the rock resemble known symbols for wind and water, further tying the site to elemental worship.

Could They Be Even Older Than the Taino?

Some scholars believe the St. John petroglyphs —or at least some of the spiral designs—may predate the Taino. Earlier groups like the Saladoid and Ostionoid peoples lived in the Virgin Islands between 500 BCE and 800 CE. Though no confirmed petroglyphs have been attributed to them, they produced sophisticated pottery with geometric symbolism.

It’s possible the site was already sacred before the Taino arrived, and later adopted into their spiritual practices—a layering of meaning that deepens its mystery.

I've found this kind of cultural layering in other places, too—like in El Salvador’s Joya de Cerén, where a preserved Maya village offers a rare glimpse into everyday Indigenous life, frozen in time by volcanic ash. Or Costa Rica’s enigmatic stone spheres of Diquís—massive, perfectly round stones with mysterious origins and no definitive explanation.

Sometimes ancient mysteries don’t just survive history—they define it.

Academic Interpretations and Theories

Theories about the petroglyphs’ purpose vary:

• Ancestor veneration

• Ritual communication with zemis

• Status symbols for initiated elite

• Star maps or sacred geography

  
  

One leading theory holds that the petroglyphs were spiritual signposts, marking a place of transition—between life and death, water and sky, spirit and earth.

Reaching the Petroglyphs: The Hike

The view from here? Sacred, cinematic, and completely unexpected.

To see them, hike the Reef Bay Trail, a 2.2-mile path descending from Centerline Road. Along the way, you’ll pass:

• Danish sugar mill ruins

• Towering kapok and turpentine trees

• Wildlife like deer, bananaquits, and land crabs

• A quiet spur trail leading to a pool watched over by stone-carved faces

  
  

Pro tip: Start early. Bring water. Don't miss the ferry, the hike takes longer thank you think. ( This might have happened to me, LOL )

🛸 Supernatural Energy and Paranormal Whispers

It’s not just history you’ll feel here. Many hikers report an unnerving stillness at the pool—like the jungle itself is holding its breath. The carvings seem to watch you, the reflections don’t always look quite right, and the energy? Charged.

Some say this is a “thin place”, where the boundary between worlds wears thin. Others believe it’s haunted. Whatever it is—it’s not just a hike. It’s an experience.

👽 Alien Theories: Cosmic Art or Creative Imagination?

And yes—let’s talk aliens.

The St. John petroglyphs have sparked a wave of otherworldly speculation, and honestly, it’s not hard to see why. The carvings are surprisingly symmetrical, with large, hollow eyes and simplified features that eerily resemble the classic “gray alien” image—smooth, expressionless faces with an almost uncanny stillness. Combine that with the secluded location and the pool’s mirror-like reflection, and it’s easy to imagine this spot as some sort of ancient portal or contact site.

Some fringe theorists suggest that these carvings could represent extraterrestrial visitors—or even beings that the Taino or pre-Taino civilizations believed came from the stars. The spirals, often seen in ancient rock art around the world, are also cited as “universal” symbols—sometimes interpreted as solar systems, wormholes, or celestial maps. Were the Indigenous peoples recording sky events? Or something far stranger?

Others speculate that the entire Reef Bay area may have been chosen for its magnetic energy or unique geological properties, hinting at an “energy vortex” theory—similar to the beliefs around Sedona, Arizona. There’s no hard evidence, of course, but that hasn’t stopped modern-day mystics and paranormal investigators from treating the site as a cosmic hotspot.

It reminds me of another strange site I’ve visited—Coral Castle in Florida. There, a single man supposedly moved multi-ton limestone blocks using “secret knowledge” he never revealed. No one can quite explain how it was done—even with today’s tools. So when I see the mysterious petroglyphs here in St. John, it’s hard not to wonder: what did they know that we don’t?

Whether you believe in aliens or just love a good mystery, the St. John petroglyphs definitely leave the door open for imagination. And maybe—just maybe—that’s exactly what they were meant to do.

Other Taino Petroglyph Sites Worth Visiting

If you’re fascinated by these ancient carvings, there are other sites across the Caribbean where Taino petroglyphs can still be found:

• Cueva del Indio, Puerto Rico

• Cueva Clara de Camuy, Puerto Rico

• Los Haitises National Park, Dominican Republic

  
  

Each offers another glimpse into a world that once stretched across the entire Caribbean Sea.

What Else to See on St. John: More Than Just Petroglyphs

While the St. John petroglyphs were the highlight of my visit, this island has so much more to explore. Whether you’re into ruins, reefs, or raw beauty, here are a few places worth your time:

🏖️ Trunk Bay

One of the most iconic beaches in the world. There’s even an underwater snorkeling trail you can follow with signs about marine life.

🌿 Annaberg Sugar Plantation

Colonial ruins with panoramic views—and a sobering look at the island’s sugarcane-slavery history.

🏞️ Cinnamon Bay Trail

A peaceful walk through ruins and rainforest, perfect if you want a hike without the steep climb back.

🛶 Maho Bay

Famous for sea turtles, calm waters, and excellent paddleboarding.

🕍 Elaine Ione Sprauve Library & Museum

A small but powerful museum housed in a restored great house with Indigenous and colonial artifacts.

🌅 Peace Hill Ruins

An easy hike to windmill ruins with unforgettable views—perfect for sunset.

Final Thoughts: Echoes in Stone and Still Water

The St. John petroglyphs aren’t just ancient carvings. They’re messages. From a people who didn’t leave books or monuments—but left something even more powerful: a mystery etched in stone.

Whether you see them as sacred art, cosmic code, or something in between, one thing is certain: they’ve survived centuries. And they’re waiting for you to find them.

So take the trail. Step off the beach. Stand before the pool. And let the whispers begin.

Want More Mysterious Travel Stories?

Check out my reel from the hike and visit natalijaugrina.com for more ancient mysteries, eerie places, and forgotten histories you won’t find in any travel brochure.

The mystery may stay in the jungle, but trust me—you won’t leave it behind.