Petroglyphs Found By Volunteer Crew
Crew of retirees works to preserve park's cultural resources.
PETROGLYPH N.M., N.MEX.-The meanings of the images carved by American Indians and early Spanish settlers onto the thick volcanic rock of Petroglyph National Monument may never be fully understood. But thanks to the persistence of a crew of volunteers at the monument, these petroglyphs- thousands of which park officials would not have known existed-will be better preserved for future generations.
For seven years, the 15-member Volunteer Petroglyph Inventory Crew, with an average member age of 70, has scoured the monument's grounds for petroglyphs. They meet each Wednesday morning-as long as it isn't too hot or cold outside-armed with two-way radios, first-aid kits, global positioning systems, cameras, art supplies, and a collective passion for discovery.
"I've never seen anything like it," said Diane Souder, chief of interpretation and outreach at the site. "They have dedicated years of their lives, thousands of hours, to the project. We are very, very lucky to have them. They're a team, each with special skills."
The crew usually works in teams of three or more, each volunteer filling a role. One draws pictures of the art and records how it was placed into the rock-whether it was etched or scraped, for example. Another photographs the petroglyphs, while someone else maps their locations.
The crew notes any vandalism to or near the image and, because each image was once covered with volcanic ash, the crew can determine how old a petroglyph is by examining weathering effects on the rock surface.
Legislation designating the monument as a park site in 1990 estimated that there were 15,000 petroglyphs in its boundaries. Before the crew began its work, park officials had documented about 10,000 but were certain that there were many more. That led the park to seek the volunteers. The known total now stands at more than 20,000, and there is hope that another 10,000 will be discovered.
Images on the rocks include recognizable renderings of animals, people, brands, and crosses, but many are more complex. Together, the petroglyphs are key to the site's cultural landscape.
"This takes us a big step further in understanding these resources," said Souder. "It helps us to not only understand the resources but also protect them. Now if there are cases of vandalism, theft, or erosion, we can go back and see what the image looked like and have a better chance of preserving it."
In assembling the crew, park officials realized they were fortunate to draw from the talented, retirement-age professionals that live near the monument. Many had basic archaeological, photography, or drawing experience.
Jack Francis, a retired business executive who had recently moved to New Mexico, was enlisted for his management skills and now volunteers with his wife, Anne.
"We live across the street from the monument and said 'Let's get involved'," he said.
"I know how to manage people, and I always did love history. I can't walk down a street past a historical plaque without reading it. Working with this [crew] fulfills that interest for me.
"It is just a tremendous group of people who love to teach, and we all love to learn," he added. "It's like being inside a classroom with your friends and having a lot of fun."
Like all good things, however, the crew's main survey work will soon end. They recently completed the 17-mile length of escarpment marking the site's boundaries.
"The only thing they're wondering now is what they will do when they are finished," said Souder.
