The rock art within Saguaro National Park was created by the prehistoric Hohokam people, who may have pecked these petroglyphs more than a thousand years ago during hunting and gathering expeditions. As more is discovered about these petroglyphs, a better understanding of Hohokam culture develops. Rock art is found throughout the American Southwest wherever prehistoric peoples lived or journeyed, and at Saguaro National Park many expressions of rock art were pecked into stones. The meanings of these petroglyphs are unknown; they could have religious or ceremonial significance, serve as solstice markers, clan symbols, decorative motifs, or simply be ancient graffiti. Petroglyphs at Signal Hill conform to the distinctive Hohokam style. In Tucson, abstract designs outnumber life forms at most sites, and human stick figures, game animals, dogs, lizards, snakes, and geometric shapes are frequently portrayed. Spirals and circular designs are common and often form part of elaborate meander or net designs. Simple Hohokam stick figures contrast with the filled-in bodies typical of Anasazi petroglyphs, and some designs made here also appear on Hohokam pottery.