Vandalism of Rock Art for Enhanced Photography

Abstract

Direct radiocarbon dating of pictographs has recently become possible. The authors report here the deleterious effects on such dating of hydrocarbon contamination of a pictograph in southeastern Utah. In order to enhance contrast between a pictograph and its rock substrate, some photographers have wetted pictographs with kerosene or similar substances; such ‘enhancement’ renders radiocarbon dates useless. Some treatments proposed for rock art deterioration may cause similar problems.

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