
Ohio State University is investigating ancient rock ‘art’, which is to be understood as the defacing of a natural landmark in the Reddick Canyon, Utah.
Ohio State University is investigating ancient rock ‘art’, which is to be understood as the defacing of a natural landmark in the Reddick Canyon, Utah.
According to the spokesperson of the Ohio State University, Chris Davey, the university officials are looking into the circumstances of the event and the real identities of the perpetrators. The dark-letter scribbling on the rock is believed to have been marked during a geology trip of Ohio State University students to Utah.
If students of the Ohio State University are found to be guilty, appropriate measures will be taken. The field trip dates back to July this year. Yet, it has only recently been reported that the scribbling is on the stone, a 700-year old landmark. On Thursday, the official announcement came from Charmaine Thompson, archaeologist with the National Forest Service.
Despite the fact that the scribbling clearly shows two names coupled with dates, no official releases have been made yet. Comments sparked by this story suggested that a simple way to investigate the matter would be to simply go to the facebook pages corresponding to the names put down in black marker on the ancient Utah rock.
Ever since 1947, the geology students of the Ohio State University have been engaged in a yearly, six-week long trip to Utah and the Reddick Canyon outcrop. Terry Wilson, who is a professor with the School of Earth Sciences stated:
“Ohio state geology field camp staff pledge to make very clear to current and future geology students that it is not acceptable to write on rock outcrops or deface a natural resource in any way”.
The University is committed to clean the rock ‘art’ while also finding those responsible for the mindless act of defacing a natural landmark.
The vandals scribbling on the 700-year old rock, thus defacing it are defended by some, while others decry the mindlessness of such actions. A third camp situates itself on the ironic side of the story.
Photo Credits: 10tv.com