High-Tech Archaeological Vandalism

“Most of the ancient artwork carved and painted into the rock walls and boulders of America’s West survived for thousands of years in quiet obscurity. But technology has changed that. These days, art that once took years for a person to stumble upon can be quickly pinpointed with a GPS, and discoverers can post the coordinates on the Internet. That leaves the ancient, priceless art vulnerable to what the Bureau of Land Management calls ‘digital vandalism.’ A quick peek at the Internet auction site eBay confirms the sites are being plundered and sold piecemeal.”