Prehistoric petroglyph panels in the popular Moab, Utah, area have been defaced by vandals, according to the Utah Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The agency announced Friday that it is investigating two separate incidents involving the ancient Native American rock art.
One instance of vandalism occurred along Highway 279, and the second took place near the Hell's Revenge area. In both cases, individuals carved their names directly into or adjacent to the petroglyph panels. The BLM stated that these panels are considered "irreplaceable cultural resources" and are protected under the federal Archaeological Resources Protection Act.
Vandalism of archaeological sites is a federal offense that can carry penalties including imprisonment, fines, and exclusion from public lands. "Our cultural resources are part of our shared heritage," the BLM noted. "Once damaged, they cannot be restored to their original condition."
Authorities have not yet named any suspects in connection with the incidents. The BLM identified one of the vandalized sites as the Bear Panel, where graffiti was found near a depiction of a bear and a bighorn sheep. The markings included a name that appeared to read "Meru." At the second site, a name, possibly "Craig," was sprawled across a panel, obscuring several figures.
The BLM spokesperson indicated that the agency plans to address the damage in the coming days using "low-impact conservation techniques" to remove residue. However, deeper incisions made into the soft sandstone may be permanent. "While the appearance of this type of vandalism can often be reduced, it cannot always be fully removed," the spokesperson told the Daily Mail.
The bureau urged the public not to attempt to clean or remove the vandalism themselves. The Moab area contains numerous petroglyphs depicting various scenes, including birthing and hunting.
This is not the first time the ancient carvings have been targeted. In 2021, vulgar and racist graffiti, including the message "White Power," was found defacing a birthing scene panel. The BLM addressed that damage at the time.