Veronica Rueckert and Gene Purcell hear an Afghan’s perspective on the war in Afghanistan and what it’s meant for the country going forward. Also, a look at a Wisconsin state park with both natural and manmade wonders and a check in on why Minnesota became the first state in the nation to ban the chemical triclosan.
Featured in this Show
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Get A Glimpse Of Native American Rock Paintings At Roche-A-Cri State Park
Just north of Adams-Friendship, there’s a place that provides visitors with a glimpse into Wisconsin as it was thousands of years ago: Roche-A-Cri State Park, one of the few places left in the state with Native American rock paintings.
The paintings, drawn in a reddish-orange pigment, can be found on an imposing 300-foot-high rock outcropping. Why that site was chosen remains a mystery, according to state archaeologist John Broihahn.
“It’s not a typical rock art location, in the sense that it’s not in a cave or a crevice cave,” Broihahn said. “It’s in an exposed area.”
He speculates that perhaps some sort of major event took place there thousands of years ago, making Roche-A-Cri an important spiritual location to the people living in the area.
The art, which according to Broihahn is about 3,500 years old, appears to depict four characters that have human and bird-like qualities. “They are, in fact, probably spiritual beings that are taking on the characteristics of humans or birds as they move though their spiritual world,” Broihahn said.
Carvings in the rock, some of which date back to the same period, are also present throughout the park. While the carvings were discovered in the middle part of the 19th Century, Broihahn said it wasn’t until the 1980s that the paintings were recorded.
Despite being in an exposed area, Broihahn said the paintings are in remarkable shape. With little tree cover in the area, the rock art is subject to the harsh summer sun and winter winds, as well as rain and snow. Broihahn said these natural elements are the biggest threat to the long-term survival of the paintings, though he and his colleagues have decided not to take any artificial preservation measures.
In terms of documenting the art, they’ve stuck to photographs and drawings for the painting’s safety. Molds were also taken in the past, but are no longer done, as they could do additional damage to the rock.
Roche-A-Cri is one of about 10 sites in Wisconsin known to have rock paintings, and is the only site open to the public.
For more information on Roche-A-Cri, which also features hiking, camping and fishing opportunities, go to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ website.
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Minnesota Bans Antibacterial Soap Ingredient Triclosan
Minnesota is now the first state in the nation to ban triclosan, a chemical found in antibacterial soap and cosmetics. A reporter discusses the reasons for the ban, and how its being received so far.
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A Look Back At The War In Afghanistan, Through Afghan Eyes
A journalist recounts American’s involvement in Afghanistan over the last decade, through the perspectives of Afghans who experienced the war first-hand.
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Curious Wisconsin: Roche-A-Cri Rock Paintings
On Curious Wisconsin a state archaeologist will help us explore a state park in Central Wisconsin that boasts Native American rock paintings and carvings – Roche-A-Cri.
Episode Credits
- Veronica Rueckert Host
- Rob Ferrett Host
- Chris Malina Producer
- Elizabeth Dunbar Guest
- Anand Gopal Guest
- John Broihahn Guest
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