What benefits do archeological sites and artifacts offer a culture?
Many archeological sites have been left relatively undisturbed because of their location within the wilderness area. Pot sherds, petrified wood flakes and hammer stones, manos and metates (grinding stones), and petroglyphs can be found with a quick eye and careful steps. All archeological sites and artifacts are protected. Always leave them where you find them. Pottery is one of the most common archeological artifacts found in the park. Even small pieces give scientists many clues about past cultures. By looking at the artistic style, type of paint, kind of clay and the material mixed into it, an archeologist may be able to identify the time period and geographical region in which the pottery was originally made. Petroglyphs are images, symbols, or designs scratched, pecked, or carved on natural rock surfaces. Most of the rocks are coated with a natural patina called desert or rock varnish. To make these petroglyphs, people knocked away the dark varnish exposing the lighter rock undern
