Petroglyph National Monument

Petroglyph National Monument
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
Location	Bernalillo County, New Mexico, USA
Nearest city	Albuquerque, NM
Coordinates	35°8′9″N 106°45′43″W
Area	7,236 (29.28 km2)
Established	June 27, 1990
Visitors	97,423 (in 2004)
Governing body	National Park Service

A "star person" petroglyph in the Rinconada section of PNM

Petroglyphs on a large rock at Petroglyph National Monument

Petroglyph National Monument stretches 17 miles (27 km) along Albuquerque, New Mexico's West Mesa, a volcanic basalt escarpment that dominates the city’s western horizon. Authorized June 27, 1990, the 7,236 acre (29.28 km²) monument is cooperatively managed by the National Park Service and the City of Albuquerque. The western boundary of the monument features a chain of dormant fissure volcanoes. Beginning in the northwest corner, Butte volcano is followed to its south by Bond, Vulcan, Black and JA volcanoes.

Petroglyph National Monument protects a variety of cultural and natural resources including five volcanic cones, hundreds of archeological sites and an estimated 24,000 images carved by Ancestral Pueblo peoples and early Spanish settlers. Many of the images are recognizable as animals, people, brands and crosses; others are more complex. Their meaning was, possibly, understood only by the carver. These images are the cultural heritage of a people who have long since moved into other areas and moved on through history for many reasons. The monument is intended as a protection for these lands and sites from and for visitors to see and appreciate for generations to come. The National Monument is managed in a manner that allows recreational use.

Stupa controversy

In 1989, at least a year prior to the National Monument's establishment, a Tibetan Buddhist stupa was built and consecrated on what was then private land owned by Harold Cohen and Ariane Emery. The National Park Service subsequently used eminent domain to seize this land and make it part of the Monument, over the owners' objections. The stupa was not removed, but all buildings on the land were razed.

On June 10, 2010, the Superintendent of Petroglyph National Monument sent an email stating that "[w]hile soils are being stockpiled nearby for the future construction of an amphitheater, the National Park Service has no plans for the Stupa." This contradicts verbal information given by at least one park ranger at the Monument. The Monument website was also updated to describe the construction projects and clarify that the Stupa was not to be demolished.

Other Controversies

Suburban development is now another enemy of the Petroglyph Nation Monument site. The city of Albuquerque NM succeeded with their plans to build a 4 lane highway directly through the site itself, thus destroying hundred of petroglyphs.

External links

• National Park Service: Petroglyph National Monument
• A Report on the Petroglyph National Monument