It may look like trash, but if it’s old enough, and it’s in the National Park, it’s not. Ranger Pam Tripp says, leave it lay…
Let’s fact it: Many artifacts within Joshua Tree National Park seem like old trash. However, anything over 50 years old is considered historic, and in many cases, these artifacts may be the only visible remains of a historic site. Archeological sites are non-renewable resources. When a site is disturbed, the clues used to understand the past are destroyed as well. A rusty can or other artifact tells us who, when, and where people once lived in the area. Removing these artifacts can destroy the essential information needed to better understand the people of the past. It is vital that historic sites not be disturbed. Please leave artifacts where you find them. Take a photograph of the object for yourself and to share with us. Letting us know where you found it will help to keep it in the records for a lifetime. For more information on how to help protect our historic sites, check out our website at www.nps.gov/jotr.
