Petroglyphs vandalized near Wire Pass
Nov 25, 2024, 4:00 PM | Updated: Dec 3, 2024, 12:29 pm
Two people are suspected of petroglyph vandalism in southern Utah. (Kane County Sheriff's Office)
(Kane County Sheriff's Office)
KANE COUNTY, Utah — The Bureau of Land Management and Kane County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a case of petroglyph vandalism near Wire Pass and Buckskin Gulch.
According to a Facebook post by KCSO, two people were seen vandalizing the artifacts on Nov. 23, 2024. The post included photos of the suspects and their vehicles.
The BLM is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to successful prosecution.
Anyone who may have information has been urged to call KCSO at (435) 644-2668 or the BLM at (435) 644-1215.
Preventing petroglyph vandalism
According to the National Park Service, petroglyphs are protected under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979. The law was developed to protect artifacts and resources on public lands.
The law was passed 73 years after the Antiquities Act of 1906, which did not adequately deter people from destroying or removing artifacts from sites.
Damaging or vandalizing petroglyphs could lead to felony charges, jail time, and large fines.
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