Protecting Nevada's Historic Resources
Many things can be said about protecting Nevada's Rock Art and other historic resources. In order to appreciate it enough to protect it, we believe that the right to see it--whether by photos, books, websites, media coverage or actual site viewing--is very important.
Public awareness of the actual locations of historic sites makes them vulnerable to site damage and vandalism. This is the main reason why Nevada Places. Com shares pictures with interested viewers but does not give out most of the rock art site locations or site names. We have seen a lot of needless destruction.
What can we do to protect our historic heritage?
1. Love, look and leave. Don't touch, disturb, damage, excavate or remove anything from the site location. Adopt as your own the comprehensive " ROCK ART SITE ETIQUETTE " list used with permission by URARA.
2. Organize and be active participants of local groups to promote awareness and appreciation of Nevada's heritage.
3. Become a Nevada Site Steward and/or join excellent organizations such as:
Nevada State Site Stewardship Coordinator
State of Nevada's State Historic Preservation Office SHPO
Sali Underwood
702 486-5011
State Historic Preservation Office
sunderwood@nevadaculture.org
The following is quoted with permission from an article in URARA's informative monthly newsletter VESTIGES titled "ETHICS Part III," August 2004, Volume 24, Number 8, written by Steven Manning:
"We are visiting irreplaceable treasures of inestimable value and only a few people come close to realizing it. Rock art is not like a scenic feature, like a rock formation or a tree, that if destroyed only results in its singular loss. If rock art is destroyed so is knowledge about our ancestors and information about a way of life we know very little about, and who knows if that one destroyed panel may have held the key to unlocking some of the secrets."