LAS VEGAS (AP).- Authorities are offering a $2,500 reward for information about vandals who spray-painted graffiti over prehistoric rock art at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Nevada.
The federal Bureau of Land Management and supporters of Red Rock Canyon say spray paint covers pictographs drawn by ancient inhabitants and petroglyphs scraped long ago into rocks at the scenic preserve about 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip.
Federal archaeologist Mark Boatwright calls the damage severe and estimates restoration will cost $10,000.
Friends of Red Rock Canyon and the
Conservation Lands Foundation are offering the reward.
BLM rangers are investigating. Officials say a conviction under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act could result in five years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
