Bears Ears: Vulnerable Places

Photographer Jonathan Bailey shares a few of the places that are now made vulnerable by the president’s illegal near-revocation.

From Jonathan:

“The images in this gallery share some of the areas in the Bears Ears threatened by the illegal actions that eliminated thousands of sacred places from the greater protections provided by the National Monument. The retraction of these protections is yet another broken promise to the tribes and a careless regression of respect. I am speaking on behalf of these places because I, like Archaeology Southwest and so many others, value them deeply. From the loving traces of mothers, fathers, and children, to the innovation and ingenuity of past populations, the Bears Ears is saturated with a history too fragile to mishandle.”

For permission to use any of the following photos, please contact Jonathan Bailey directly at http://www.baileyimages.com/.

These intricate Basketmaker petroglyphs display scenes of fertility and birth. In present-day cultural narratives, the prevalence of human fertility is often associated with everything from the production of rain water to the abundance of game animals and plant-life. These stories and histories are lavishly expressed in rock art, especially among periods of increased agricultural reliance. © Jonathan Bailey

This Abajo stemmed projectile point was left on a Cortez black-on-white ceramic, likely by a present-day visitor. Tangible artifacts not only give us priceless insights into the past, but they are also deeply tied to the places in which they remain. It is critically important to leave them where they were found. © Jonathan Bailey

This Navajo petroglyph goes beyond usual carving techniques to create an intricately dimensional image. Despite the significance of this sacred place to Navajo culture, it was proposed as an expedited energy zone under the failed Public Lands Initiative and was subsequently removed from National Monument protections by Donald Trump’s proclamation. © Jonathan Bailey

A Mesa Verde style corrugated jar in-situ in the former boundaries of the Bears Ears National Monument. © Jonathan Bailey

This two-story structure has been removed from the Bears Ears National Monument. © Jonathan Bailey

The view from Muley Point demonstrates part of what was removed from National Monument boundaries, including parts of the San Juan River and the Valley of the Gods. © Jonathan Bailey

Rock art, structures, and other sacred places are threatened by vandalism, looting, and grave robbing. Removing protections that may help prevent these activities is blatantly careless. © Jonathan Bailey

These paintings have been attributed to the Abstract Archaic style but share some similarities seen in later Basketmaker rock art. The Bears Ears provides an opportunity to understand some of the complexities of rock art affiliation. © Jonathan Bailey

These Basketmaker figures are painted with white heads that have faded with time. In many cases, the composition of white pigment is much less durable than sources of red pigment and fades comparatively quickly. © Jonathan Bailey

Strips of braided cordage as seen on an alcove floor. © Jonathan Bailey

These negative handprints are displayed above an Ancestral Puebloan structure. © Jonathan Bailey

These invigorating Ute portraits are accompanied by horses and other images carved on a cliff wall. © Jonathan Bailey

This clay spiral is one of two attached to a sooted wall of an Ancestral Puebloan structure. © Jonathan Bailey

Carved high on a cliff wall, this Basketmaker panel depicts a rare example of a mountain lion being pierced with an atlatl dart. © Jonathan Bailey

This row of bighorn sheep is shown penetrated with atlatl darts. The atlatl (spear thrower) was utilized up until about 300CE when it was replaced by the bow and arrow. © Jonathan Bailey

This endearing Ute carving depicts a baby in a cradleboard. The cultural affiliation of this image is distinct due to the unique style and shape of the cradleboard. © Jonathan Bailey

Attributed to Glen Canyon Linear Style, these haunting faces adorn the high cliffs of the San Juan River. © Jonathan Bailey

These large Ute horse petroglyphs are carved above older Basketmaker images. Much like the stratigraphy beneath our feet, rock art murals record layers of time and people. © Jonathan Bailey

These Basketmaker pictographs display rows of people joined by hand. © Jonathan Bailey

A vibrant bighorn sheep displayed near fading figures painted in white. © Jonathan Bailey

Closeup of the birthing scene petroglyphs shown earlier. © Jonathan Bailey

This flute player, duck-headed figure, and other Basketmaker figures are carved on a cliff wall in the former boundaries of the Bears Ears National Monument. © Jonathan Bailey

These Glen Canyon Linear style images are beautifully displayed along the San Juan River. © Jonathan Bailey

Upon close inspection, one can see white pictographs placed above this carefully fitted Ancestral Puebloan structure. © Jonathan Bailey

This expansive view shows part of what was removed from the National Monument. © Jonathan Bailey

These Ancestral Puebloan structures are shown with beautiful paintings displayed above the far-right door. © Jonathan Bailey

Disproportionately large atlatl darts are shown with ducks, human figures, and other imagery on this Basketmaker panel. © Jonathan Bailey

These arresting Glen Canyon Linear style petroglyphs are carved low on a cliff wall in the former boundaries of the Bears Ears National Monument. © Jonathan Bailey

Slabs of sandstone block entry to these structures. At one point in time, these slabs would have been sealed to the structure. Through use, erosion, and irresponsible visitors separating them from the structure to look inside, the slabs are no longer attached. © Jonathan Bailey

This Ancestral Puebloan structure, like thousands of others, was stripped from the National Monument boundaries. © Jonathan Bailey

These Basketmaker petroglyphs are carved on a horizontal surface overlooking the canyon landscape below. © Jonathan Bailey

As evident in this photograph, parts of this stunning Basketmaker panel were re-pecked at a later time. © Jonathan Bailey

Some Basketmaker figures show striking similarities to Fremont rock art seen to the north. While research suggesting any kind of connection is still in its infancy, it is a stark reminder of the scientific opportunities that could be lost without the protections provided by the National Monument. © Jonathan Bailey

Bears Ears: Vulnerable Places

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