On Monday April 5th, 2021, the US Forest Service reported that a 1,000 year old rock with Native drawings was vandalized.

The rock contained drawings, or petroglyphs, in Track Rock Gap, which is located in Chattanooga National Forest in Georgia. The petroglyph’s are over 1,000 ears old and was carved by the Creek and Cherokee tribes. The petroglyph’s are a extremely important to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and are protected by Archaeological Resources Protection Act.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Heritage Office released a statement saying “They are special sites for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and for all people as part of the Heritage of this region. Whether through ignorance or malice — the result is irreparable damage to a unique site that connects us directly to the people of the past.” They are upset by the act.

While officials have yet to determine whether the vandalism was intentional or just ignorance, the US Forest Service said “an irreplaceable part of the nation’s heritage.” was damaged

While there is no information on how or if they will restore the rock, the US Forest Service has encouraged visitors to not touch and tread lightly around the rock.