Etched in a small red rock nestled in a hillside overlooking Cedar Valley is what appears to be three dancing human figures, a drawing that experts say dates back 1,600 to 1,800 years, probably done by Fremont Indians.

Because of the type of rock and its porous nature, water seeps up through the broken surface and lichen grows in the etched areas making the figures darker than the rock around them. But the rock is so small, it's easily missed.

"The first three or four times we came out here, we couldn't find it," said Nina Bowen of the Utah Rock Art Research Association said Monday, during a visit to the site with reporters and city officials. "It is really small but really special."

One of the things that makes it special, she said, is that it's not everywhere. "This is so unique and you wouldn't see this in Price or Moab."

The Utah Lake area has 30 to 40 sites of this type of rock art, said Steven Manning of the Utah Rock Art Research Association.

The association has identified the art as likely Fremont rock art from between 200 A.D. and 400 A.D. It is the oldest rock art in the area. A news release last week from Eagle Mountain listed an incorrect age for the drawings.

"It takes a specific type of rock to have this happen," said Manning. "It is very unique in the motion that is depicted. There are three dancing figures. The arms are bent, the legs are bent, obviously in motion, and they have something wrapped around their waists, and ceremonial headdress, and they are all facing the same direction."

The petroglyphs, discovered 23 years ago, are on private property and have changed the plans for a new subdivision in the city.

Larry Franciose of Eagle Mountain Ranch LLC, who is developing the land where the petroglyphs are located, said that the original number of houses planned was reduced to allow 35 percent of the area to be open space. In one area of the open space, the petroglyphs will be accessible by a side trail that branches off the main trail system.

If an archaeological site is on private land and it does not include a burial site or human remains, then the owners can do anything they want with the site.

"Rock art gets destroyed at an incredibly rapid rate," Bowen said.

Fortunately for those who appreciate this ancient artwork, the petroglyphs in Eagle Mountain will be preserved. "Our plan is that it will become a public park and then it will be protected by the city," Franciose said. "As we continue with that plan, this becomes the crown jewel of our open space."

"We would like to leave the petroglyphs in the natural environment," said Mayor Brian Olsen. "An ordinance for the city would adopt federal and state law and there would be heavy prosecution for theft, vandalism and anything that would be damaging to the art."

The developer was not obligated to preserve the site. When asked why he chose to save the artwork, Doug Rosecrans, a planner for the development, said, "I think people will like that it is preserved. It gives a sense of history. In a new city I think a sense of history is a good thing."

Franciose said, "You can have a development and have open space as well. I want to be known as a good developer and set a benchmark out here for open spaces in our subdivisions."

Both Manning and Bowen commended the developers for making the effort to preserve the distinctive rock art. "I think they are being amazingly responsible," said Bowen.

State Sen. Mark Madsen, R-Eagle Mountain, joined the group that was allowed to view the artwork on Monday morning and said, "I am fascinated by ancient American cultures. I traveled in Central America and took the opportunity to view ruins in Guatemala and Mexico. It is amazing to think that it's here in my own backyard. I'll never look at this vista the same now that I have an ancient perspective of it."

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.