Discussions with several members of the American Rock Art Research Association, indicate that scratched petroglyphs at our sites are directly comparable to those found at various sites in North America. Dating back many thousands of years, they were created by some of the earliest human inhabitants in North America.

The initial question was whether our examples are as old. To answer the question the Scratch Project was initiated. The initial answers are far more wide ranging and exciting than we ever expected.

Within and near the Palatki Heritage Site, there are multiple rock art panels with extensive finely scratched petroglyphs that exhibit a remarkable consistency in style and method of production. Some of our examples appear to be created by different cultures that lived here in the past. Some are covered or “superimposed” by paint that is interpreted to be thousands of years old and are therefore older. Some cut thru paint that we interpret to be less than 1000 years old and are therefore younger. We know that Early Archaic and “Clovis” hunter gatherers roamed this area as early as 12 to 13 thousand years ago leaving traces of their presence in the form of stone tools and spear points. Did they also create rock art that we can now study?

Using a combination of high resolution detailed photography, angled lighting, a computer based interpretation and annotation tool developed by our ARARA collaborators, support of the Forest Service and the perseverance, dedication and teamwork of multiple volunteers, we have discovered many examples of precisely scratched “motifs” such as “checkerboard”, “big diamond”, “snakes” and other forms. The remarkably consistent scratch widths, styles, line terminations and spacing imply that these motifs were significant to the people who created them and their tradition carried on thru the ages to other cultures that followed. What they achieved is far beyond what most of us can accomplish today without “hi-tech” tools.

In our world with such advanced technology and interests, a question is why study such insignificant evidence of earlier cultures. Peter Pilles, Coconino Forest Archaeologist aptly states that
“Archaeological science these days is science. It includes everything from the tomb of Tutankhamen to the scratched lines. It’s not the big finds, it is the little things we look at today, with the eye of science. The minutiae of pollen grains, temper particles, fragments of charcoal give us more information, thru science, these days than the vast volumes of whole pots and turquoise jewelry which was the focus of the past.”

Another viewpoint is that this is not just a study of scratches. The detailed photography and interpretation of the petroglyphs is almost certainly a study of a type of language and means of communication, that for the most part, is foreign to our culture. There are many levels of information to evaluate. It raises the issue of how these people communicated without what we consider written language. What do these “messages” on the rock wall mean? What were they trying tell each other and us?

Here in the Sedona area, it is a privilege to have such interesting windows to the past available to marvel at and study.

Like everything else in our modern society, not everyone agrees. As we learn about the scratches we have discovered that they are far more widespread in the Verde Valley than previously known. As is common in archaeology, the more we look, the more we find. In response to a recent vandalism/graffiti incident at the Honanki Heritage site, it was determined that new graffiti on site was scratched directly over very fine but distinct examples of the checkerboard and diamond motifs not previously identified on that rock art panel. Approximately 50% of the ancient petroglyphs were destroyed by the graffiti. Coconino Forest Archaeologist Peter Pilles stated, “A simple swath of rock or paint over sandstone, whether due to ignorance or intentional vandalism

The post The Little Things We Look At Today appeared first on Friends of the Forest Sedona.

For those new to the area, The FOF is sponsored by the National Forest Service. Our sole function is to support them in keeping the Coconino National Forest as pristine as possible. We continue to see substantial increases of visitors each year (now over two million per year). We are, as is said, loving our Forest to death! Our role with the Forest also continues to be ever increasing, requiring more volunteer hours. We contribute in this support role by assisting in the maintenance of our more than 300 miles of trails, removing graffiti wherever possible, reducing environmental damage caused by human impact, educating through environmental communication, and enhancing the forest experience for visitors and residents.

We now number over 500 members and last year set a record by contributing over 36,000 volunteer hours, more than any other Forest Service volunteer group in the country. Not only are we extremely active, but the talents within our membership have produced a number of innovative approaches in helping to make us more efficient in accomplishing our mission.

If you enjoy the unique beauty of Sedona and would like to be a part of preserving the Coconino National Forest and Wilderness, Thursday February 7th is the date you should mark on your calendars.

At 2:00 pm in the Visitor Center, several FOF speakers and committee chairpersons will present short summaries of their activities. We think you will be impressed with the broad range of programs offered. Whether you’re an inside person or like to be out on the trails, we have something for you.

New volunteers are always welcome to help in the FOF Core Activities, which include Visitor Information Services – volunteers assisting at the Ranger Station Visitor Center and Cultural Resources docents at Palatki, Honanki, V Bar V, and other heritage sites. These docents help protect and explain the history of these prehistoric features.

Trail Patrol members hike area trails, record information about trail conditions, and like all of our groups, remove trash wherever found. They regularly interact with other hikers, by giving directions, answering questions, and assisting where possible. You can find these dedicated volunteers on just about any trail in the District.

The hardworking men and women on Trail Maintenance and Construction crews are out on a weekly basis. They’re tasked with keeping the trails safe and in good condition. Reworking drainage, removing fallen trees, constructing steps on the steeper slopes, and clearing overgrown brush are just part of their tasks. If you are in reasonably good physical shape and enjoy working outdoors, this is for you.
The Graffiti Removal team has recently expanded its efforts and has developed a number of new techniques to remove scratching and paint with minimal damage to the rock surfaces. It is challenging work and unfortunately very necessary, to remove the damage done by a small percentage of our visitors. We are now experimenting with the use of cameras at our most sensitive sites. This is a new tool for us, so we’ll see how effective it can be.

Public education programs, guided hikes, photo documentation of archaeological sites, River Ranger Support, Water Sampling, and maintenance of a wilderness air quality monitoring station are all important programs in our support role. Some are seasonal efforts.

Citizen Science is another fast-growing category of volunteer interest and participation. Red Rock Ranger District Wildlife Biologist Janie Agyagos is one of several Forest Service specialists who are engaging FOF volunteer citizen scientists in a variety of research activities: locating and documenting ancient agaves, cataloging lichens, monitoring peregrine falcon nests, counting bats exiting their roosts, identifying and inventorying the Arizona Toads and Monarch butterflies, and surveying invasive weeds.

Friends of the Forest is truly a place to contribute almost any skill, or pursue wide-ranging interests. There is something for everyone, inside or outside, work solo or with others, be comfortable with a no-sweat task or burn a lot of calories. Have we missed anything? Please let us know!

To help protect the unique beauty of the area we are privileged to call home, please join us on February 7 at the Red Rock Ranger Visitor Center at 2:00PM to learn more. For RSVP, please respond to membership@fofsedona.org.

Serving Sedona, written this week by Jerry Piepiora, appears Wednesday in the Sedona Red Rock News.

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FOF was recognized for its many innovations in documenting our Native American heritage sites, removing graffiti, and using technology to support both our activities and the work of the Forest Service.

Red Rock District Ranger Nicole Branton congratulated the Friends at the Red Rock District’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Event, held on November 3rd at the Beaver Creek Work Center. She noted that is the second consecutive year that FOF has received such an award.

During fiscal year 2018, Friends volunteers donated a record 36,127 hours. Branton noted with pride that we again had a perfect safety record, with no injuries. During FY 2018, a total of 258 members contributed their time and effort, with 102 members contributing over 100 hours.

To begin the event, Friends of the Forest recognized volunteers who made notable contributions this past year.

President Manny Romero introduced committee chairs who presented certificates to major contributors in our various activities: air quality testing, cultural resources, graffiti removal, interpretive programs, river patrol, trail maintenance & construction, trail patrol, visitor information services, and water sampling.

Awards were then presented to members deserving exceptional recognition. Tom Cloonan and Brian Painchaud were presented with Volunteer of the Year Awards. In addition to serving as FOF Treasurer, Cloonan is a docent at the Palatki and V-Bar-V heritage sites. He also volunteers his time on a variety of special projects. President Romero noted that “Brian is a true leader. He’s one of our most active, versatile members”. Brian assisted with air quality monitoring, special projects, photo documentation of cultural heritage sites and the river patrol.

The Distinguished Volunteer Award was presented to Justine Kushner for her exceptional work over the years. During more than 20 years of service, Justine has contributed nearly 7,000 hours, supporting almost every activity the Friends engages in. In addition, she is a past President of Friends of the Forest.

Denise and Rob Gibbs, and Tim Anderson were recognized as New Volunteers of the Year. Denise and Rob supported FOF special projects such as peregrine falcon nest monitoring, bat acoustical monitoring, bird surveys, removal of unneeded range fencing, and the Southwest Monarch Butterfly study. Romero noted that “Denise prepared a checklist of butterflies observed in the Verde Valley and a target list of butterfly species which should be present but have not been documented”. Tim Anderson worked tirelessly in support of the group photographing and recording our cultural resources. Although relatively new to the team, he is already a key camera operator and site recording mission planner. Recent efforts of the photo documentation team have identified more than 20 sites previously unknown to the Forest Service.

The Heart of the Friends Award was presented to Jerry Checchia who “led the graffiti removal team before stepping in to his current position as leader of the trail maintenance and construction group. If anyone represents ‘heart’ to our organization, it’s Jerry,” Romero noted.

President’s Award was given to Gary Neil, who has become nationally recognized for his expertise documenting lichen and educating the public on the critical importance of this often under-valued organism. Gary initiated our annual Lichen Appreciation Week, complete with a lichen identification table and examples of our native lichen.

29 of our friends and neighbors serve on the FOF Board of Directors. This year eleven members were elected or re-elected to a three-year term: Ernie DiMillo, Ed Hodges, Peg Kern, Garry Neil, Jean Ober, Mike Ober, Terry Orlick, Deneise Piepiora, Jerry Piepiora, Manny Romero, Bob Wych. President Romero also recognized the service of our outgoing directors Elaine Julian, Mark Munsell, Betty Parker, Paul Ward, Veronica Ward, Debbie Wych.

To learn more about Friends of the Forest, and perhaps join our group of active volunteers, we invite you to our next meeting, to be held on Wednesday December 12, at 9 am in the Red Rock Ranger District Administration Building, located off of Hwy 179 a mile south of the Village of Oak Creek. We also invite you to attend our new member event to be held on Thursday February 7 at 2:00 at the Red Rock Ranger District Visitor Center. We’ll supply more information about this event in a subsequent article.

The Under Secretary’s Award that the Friends of the Forest recently earned is a tribute to the effort and innovation of Friends volunteers as they work to preserve our magnificent Red Rock Country.

Serving Sedona, written this week by Craig Swanson of Sedona Friends of the Forest, appears Wednesday in the Sedona Red Rock News.

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