NPS investigates “archaeological theft” in Canyonlands National Park

According to an NPS press release last week, rangers at Canyonlands National Park are investigating an “incident of archaeological theft” involving two park visitors at one of the park’s historic cowboy campgrounds in Utah.

The incident occurred at Cave Spring Cowboy Camp, a cave-like shelter that housed cowboys and their cattle from the late 1800s until 1975, when ranching was banned in the park. Cave Spring had a reliable source of water that was vital to ranchers in the remote desert region.

According to a video recording, the thieves entered the area marked as off-limits on March 23 and stole artifacts from a cabinet. The press release states that the thieves also “handled historical tableware in a manner that could potentially damage it.”

Canyonlands National Park did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.

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The artifacts in the camp are original items used by the cowboys, such as cooking utensils.

The park’s website asks visitors: “Please do not enter the camp or touch or remove any items.”

Still images from the recording released by the NPS show one person holding up an object while the other sits on one of the chairs.

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