URARA - Site Etiquette

All groups and individuals who visit rock art sites need to realize that any visit may endanger the rock art. URARA, other research organizations, researchers and enthusiasts must recognize that the act of visiting a site can be destructive to the site.

This is much more than "don't touch the rock art." A rock art site is not just the glyphs on the rocks; it include the glyphs, the rocks and cliffs, and the surrounding area. To start to understand the rock art you have to consider the whole site. For researchers and individuals to appreciate a site the glyphs and the surroundings should be as they were when the panel was made, or as close as possible.

Clay Johnson wrote the following list after many years of studying rock art and rock art sites:

Minimize the number of vehicles going to the site. Stay on existing roads. Do not "pioneer" vehicle trails or parking areas.

Do not camp or build fires within one-quarter mile of rock art.

Do not disturb lithics, firepits, rock arrangements or other artifacts and site features.

At rock art sites stay on trails where they exist. Do not disturb rocks, vegetation, or microbiotic soil crusts.

Do not climb or disturb rocks in chimneys, slots, or gaps in the rock cliffs at rock art sites.

Do not hike or climb above rock art panels.

Do not touch in any way the rock art or the cliffs within 100 feel of rock art.

Where possible stay at least 10 feet from the rock art.

Do not attempt to remove graffiti, chalking, lichen, or bird droppings from rock art.

Do not apply any substance including liquid, powder, plastic, cloth, paper, or even strong floodlight, to or over rock art.

Do not allow pets, children. or careless associates to behave improperly around rock art.

Follow the rules of the site landowner or public land manager where they are more restrictive than above.

If some of the above seem overly restrictive due to site location, rock type, salvage status or other factors remember the essence of etiquette and ethics is to behave better than strictly necessary.

Use binoculars to study, and telephoto lens or freehand sketches to record panels and panel details. Study the panel as an integral part of the site.

Be constantly aware of the effects of your actions and others at rock art sites. Make your behavior a model. Speak out when needed to prevent damage to rock art.

Take time to appreciate the beauty of the site surrounding the rock art. Look at the mountains and canyons, the waters, the plants, the wildlife. Listen to the native sounds. Feel the sun and wind. Sit still until the birds come out and the lizards climb your leg.

Take time to appreciate the intricacy and detail of each rock art panel itself rather than trying to see the maximum number of panels. Don't interpret the panel, just sit quietly and watch. Give the rocks time to speak to you.