As the field manager of the Bureau of Land Management s Moab Field Office, Gaddis-Wyatt had worked to ensure that Birthing Rock, otherwise known as Birthing Scene Petroglyph, as well as thousands of other unique archeological sites were preserved for future generations.
Despite the signage and fencing surrounding the large boulder to discourage vandalism or graffiti, there wasn t enough to stop what happened to it.
Now, as the cleanup of the vandalism begins, Gaddis-Wyatt said she s mostly optimistic about the future of the defaced petroglyph; still, she said the archeological site will still never be the same, even though parts of the site weren t defaced and people will be able to view the ancient artwork in the future.
MOAB Federal officials said Tuesday that they are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone who was responsible for damaging a famous petroglyph in Grand County.
The vandalism was first spotted at Birthing Rock, alternately known as Birthing Scene Petroglyph, near Moab on Monday, according to Grand County Commission Chairwoman Mary McGann. She said three of four panels were heavily damaged.
People visiting the site and tour guides were the first to come across the noticeable vandalism, she said. Pictures of the damage that emerged on social media showed that the petroglyphs were defaced with scribbling in addition to vulgar phrases and imagery and the term white power.
Well-known Moab petroglyph vandalized; $10K reward offered in case
MOAB, Utah (KSL) Federal officials said Tuesday that they are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone who was responsible for damaging a famous petroglyph in Grand County.
The vandalism was first spotted at “Birthing Rock,” alternately known as “Birthing Scene Petroglyph,” near Moab on Monday, according to Grand County Commission Chairwoman Mary McGann. She said three of four panels were heavily damaged.
People visiting the site and tour guides were the first to come across the noticeable vandalism, she said. Pictures of the damage that emerged on social media showed that the petroglyphs were defaced with scribbling in addition to vulgar phrases and imagery and the term “white power.”
This is not an accident : Well-known Moab petroglyph damaged by vandalism eastidahonews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from eastidahonews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.