Pictograph Vandal Tries to Clean Panel, Makes it Worse

Salt Lake City,UT,USA


Aug. 9, 2004

Whoever vandalized one of Utah's most priceless rock art sites apparently went back to fix it, but only made it worse.

Last week, vandals scrawled "I love you, Wendy" in chalk on the top of the Buckhorn Pictograph Panel in the San Rafael Swell.

Nearby, "Sherrie" is written in charcoal.

Emery County authorities offered a one-thousand dollar reward for information leading to suspects.

Authorities say since then, someone tried to erase the graffiti, but the scrubbing made a bigger mess, damaging some of the site's natural varnish.

An archaeologist and art restoration expert flew in Friday and finished most of the cleanup.