| Petrified Forest National Park | |
History:
Evidence of early human occupation is readily visible on the landscape at Petrified Forest National Park. Sites throughout the park tell of human history in the area for more than 2,000 years, including the cultural transition from wandering families to settled agricultural villages (pueblos) and trading ties with neighboring villages. This story of early people, told by potsherds, rubble, and pictures on the rocks, disappears around 1400 AD.
The earliest historic reports of petrified wood in this region were made by a U.S. Army officer who discovered fragments near today's Canyon de Chelly National Monument in northeastern Arizona. In the 1850's deposits were found south of present-day Petrified Forest National Park. During the period in which farmers, ranchers, and sightseers made their way into the area, wood was used for souvenirs and numerous commercial ventures. By 1900 territorial residents recognized that the supply of petrified wood was not endless. In 1906 selected "forests" were set aside as Petrified Forest National Monument. In 1932 some 2,500 more acres of the Painted Desert were purchased and added to the monument. In 1962 the area became Petrified Forest National Park, and in 1970, 50,000 acres were further designated for preservation as wilderness.
Today the park exists for the purpose of preserving petrified wood, but continued theft of park resources has placed Petrified Forest on the "Ten Most Endangered Parks" list.
The Painted Desert
Information on the 160-mile arc of land that stretches from 30 miles north of Cameron near Grand Canyon to the southeast just beyond Petrified Forest National Park.
Trees to Stone
Learn how petrified wood forms.
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Petrified Forest National Park |
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