December 6, 2005

Master Naturalist Assists Police Investigation at Picture Canyon

AZ State Land Investigator Bradley Geeck scrapes fresh earth down to pine needles in order to assess the extent of damage. Flagstaff Detective Odis Brockman observes.
AZ Master Naturalist Scott Harger was asked to assist Flagstaff Police and AZ State Land Department investigation of the vandalism of a Sinagua pit house at Picture Canyon this week.
AZ State Archeologist Stephen Ross inspects damage by an apparent pothunter in a Sinagua pit house at Picture Canyon.
Scott was consulted to provide "before" and "after" information regarding the condition of the pit house, one that was almost certainly excavated by E. Colton of the Museum of Northern Arizona between 1919 and 1923. The diggers, evidently spooked, left tools behind which may aid the investigation.
While the vandalism was detected and reported by a City of Flagstaff employee in the course of other duties, it should be noted that the Flagstaff Police Department has just recently begun regular patrols of the roads along Picture Canyon.

Posted by The Naturalist at December 6, 2005 8:40 PM