Petroglyphs Vandalized, Multiple Agencies Announce Reward for Information Leading to Arrest

On January 19, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) reported that graffiti was discovered on property that it manages just west of Santa Fe along the Santa Fe River, the La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs. The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that some of the petroglyphs were defaced with a pentagram, a swastika and several racial slurs. According to the BLM, it was the third time the site had been vandalized in less than a year and the most damaging of the three incidents.

"This area is very sacred to the Pueblo people. We have direct ancestral ties to it, and our oral traditions, prayers, and stories are linked to these places," said Santa Clara Pueblo's Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Ben Chavarria to Outside magazine. "We go visit them on pilgrimages, for ceremonial reasons, and to teach future generations about our ancestors, traditions, and culture."

Most of petroglyphs date between the 13th and 17th centuries, and some are dated older than 8,000 years old, including the iconic hump-backed flute player, Kokopelli.

https://nativenewsonline.net/currents/petroglyphs-vandalized-multiple-agencies-announce-reward-for-information-leading-to-arrest