Tips for Stewards
...and anyone who visits our historical and cultural treasures!Site Etiquette
- WALLS ARE FRAGILE. Do not climb or sit on ruins or lean against ruin walls, they could collapse.
- TREAD LIGHTLY. Cause as little disturbance to the site as possible, especially in areas where the desert pavement could be disturbed.
- RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO TOUCH. Rock art should be photographed but not touched in any way and never chalked. Your fingertips and palms leave oils that speed the deterioration process.
- LEAVE NOTHING BUT FOOTPRINTS; TAKE NOTHING BUT PICTURES. Take any litter you have brought back home. Remeber the old rule... "pack it in, pack it out".
- RESPECT. Be courteous to others who are visiting these archaeological sites. Remember you are acting as the representative of the land manager, who is responsible for the site.
Site Vandalism and Looting
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CONFRONT SOMEONE VANDALIZING OR LOOTING A SITE!
Keep Your Distance. Be Observant. Be Safe.
WRITE DOWN WHAT YOU SEE OR HEAR.
- Where is the site location?
- What, exactly, is the activity? Digging, collecting artifacts, stealing or defacing rock art? Something else?
- Try to be able to identify the offender - but don't alert their dog. Who is doing it? How many? What do they look like? What are they wearing?
- What kind of equipment are they using? A shovel? A backhoe? If you hear heavy equipment, you should use extreme caution.
- Is there a vehicle? Can you safely get a description and license plate numbers?
- Take photos or video ONLY if you can do so safely, UNOBSERVED and UNHEARD by offenders or their dogs. Cell phone cameras are often quiet and compact. Film cameras may click or advance film. Remember, silence is a skill and sound travels a long way in a natural setting.
BE SAFE and notify authorities as soon as possible - visit our Contact Us page for a list of contacts.
