Moab Petroglyphs Discovered Vandalized: ‘Irreplaceable Cultural Resources’

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Utah is seeking the culprits behind two incidents of vandalism that left protected petroglyphs near Moab riddled with crude carvings, including that signature and another, less distinct marking.

The vandals reportedly struck one site along Highway 279, a scenic stretch parallel to the Colorado River, and one by Hell’s Revenge, a well-known off-road slickrock trail. Photos taken by the Bureau, and first published by SF Gate, show clear damage to the petroglyphs that decorate the rock fave: In one photo, an investigator is seen measuring huge letters—spelling “Craig W”—that now cover a portion of petroglyph depicting animals.

Writing on social media, the BLM described the petroglyph as “irreplaceable cultural resources” which are protected under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act.

“Our cultural resources are part of our shared heritage,” the Bureau said. “Once damaged, they cannot be restored to their original condition. We ask visitors to respect these resources and help protect them for future generations.”

Petroglyphs near Moab and beyond are a frequent target for criminal mischief and looting, amid more existential threats posed by recent government rollbacks of their protections. In 2021, a series of sacred, 300-year petroglyphs along the cliffs of Hawaii were defaced with a paintball gun, marking one in a string of incidents involving the artworks. A group of petroglyphs located at the Volcanic Tableland in Bishop, California, carved into the rock by the Paiute-Shoshone before European colonization, have faced multiple episodes of vandalism, including desecration and even theft: Criminals reportedly used power saws to remove large sections of rock featuring the carvings. The BLM managed to recover the stolen petroglyph, though the suspects remained at large.

Whoever they are, they’ll find little mercy from locals. “The minimum sentence for this crime should be life without parole,” wrote one user on the r/California subreddit at the time. “If you disrespect historical artifacts of great significance you should be labeled an enemy of the public. Zero tolerance.”