Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Dissappointment at the Indian Cave



Two days ago the Kadizzlites visited the Indian Cave high above Zion National Park. Few people know of this cave, but even a few seems to be too many. Years ago we made our first trip to the cave. The cave was special because it appeared to have human bones embedded in the rock in what looked like resin from the fire. Since the cave was known to few the bones were undisturbed. On our recent trip the bones were gone. Sadly this is what is gradually happening to the heritage of the southwest. As more and more people visit these sites they are becoming completely destroyed. There are not enough resources to protect these sites.

Traveling the southwest you see people displaying the material they have looted from these sites. Most of the worst looting took place many years ago. The Mormons were some of the worst offenders. Last year there was a big scandal when someone turned in some of the old time Mormon artifact looters.

We love visiting these sites and it is distressing to think that these places that have existed for hundreds of years will soon be overwhelmed by too many visitors. Perhaps we are part of the problem. Often Kadizzle wonders if his children and grandchildren will be able to see the site he has seen.

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