Authorities are investigating damage to protected rock art at two sites near Moab in the US state of Utah. New lettering covers older animal figures at one location. The Bureau of Land Management is seeking those responsible and warns that damaged petroglyphs cannot be returned to their original condition.
The Utah office of the US Bureau of Land Management, which administers public land, is investigating vandalism at two protected rock-art sites near Moab, in the US state of Utah. People cut new markings into or near older carvings. The agency is seeking those responsible for damaging the archaeological sites.[1], [2]
One location lies along Highway 279 beside the Colorado River; the other is close to Hell’s Revenge, an off-road driving trail. Bureau photographs show an investigator measuring large lettering across part of an older animal image. The letters read Craig W. Another marking is less clear. The photographs were first published by SF Gate.[1]
The bureau says the carvings fall under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act. It describes them as irreplaceable cultural resources and warns that damage prevents a return to their original condition. Visitors have been asked to respect the protected sites and help safeguard them. The present investigation concerns the two damaged locations near Moab, where older rock images now bear the newly cut markings.[1]
