Petroglyph panel stabilization, Conchas Lake State Park, USACE
In 2014, Aspen CRM Solutions re-recorded and expanded site LA 155812—originally recorded in 2007 as a single zoomorphic rock art image on a large boulder on the south-facing slope of an escarpment above the Canadian River just east of Conchas Dam. Their work resulted in the discovery of four additional rock art panels, a rock shelter, and associated ground stone and lithic debitage. The rock art consisted of human figures, multiple antelope and big horned sheep, animal tracks, and a mountain lion. When the team documented the site, it was observed that the stone on which the mountain lion was pecked was delaminating from the main sandstone boulder in large vertical sheets, allowing water and wind-blown sand to penetrate behind the slabs. With freeze and thaw action it was likely that much of the rock face would eventually detach completely. Based on their observations, Aspen wrote a proposal detailing the actions needed to preserve the panel.
In 2016, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contracted Aspen CRM Solutions to perform the recommended stabilization work based on 2014 assessment. The successful preservation effort involved brush removal, mapping and documentation, cleaning and debris removal from behind the panel, and finally securing the panel to the underlying rock with a specially formulated grout mixture.
- Preservation Work
