I made an interesting discovery after reading Zoe's review for Toro Muerto in Peru, which led into "missing" Rock Art speculation.
Rock Art and Comparative Analysis with Non-inscribed Sites in the United States:Wadi Rum Protected Area (Jordan)"The property was also compared with sites at that time not
on the World Heritage List: Monument Valley in the
Arizona desert and Canyonlands National Park in Utah. It was
concluded that the two US examples while similar arid
sandstone landscapes with traces of human occupation,
and also rock art in the case of Canyonlands, were not
comparable in terms of the integrated landscape of the
Wadi Rum area, and lack the range and complexity of
features." - AB Evaluation
*Note: Bear Ears was not nationally protected at the time (2011), nor did it have clear boundaries, and therefore seemingly ignored in the Comparative Analysis.Writing-on-Stone / ÃÃsÃnai'pi (Canada)"Five properties have been chosen for purposes of
comparison. Amongst them, Bighorn Basin and
Coso Range, both located in the United States of America,
are the two properties most directly comparable with
Writing-on-Stone/ ÃÃsÃnai'pi. In the case of Coso Range, although it is well
known for its rock art and the very good state of
conservation of its landscape, its association with
indigenous peoples is not as strong as in the case of the
nominated property, and its protection and management
are less comprehensive." - AB Evaluation
*Note: I think Canada is subtly admitting the petroglyphs at Coso Range are superior in concentration and preservation, but rightfully stated they have also been affected by their location within the Naval Air Weapons Station.Furthermore, in the 2016 US Gap Study Report "Coso Range" is once again mentioned. I have previously explored the values of the
Coso Rock Art District, so I will not expand on that topic here.
A few years back some National Monuments were "dismembered" or reduced in size by the previous Administration
(he who must not be named) in the United States. All National Monuments were returned to their original size in the Fall of 2021. One monument: Bear Ears, which is just South (abutting) Canyonlands National Park and just North of Monument Valley Tribal Park is well-known for its Rock Art Sites. One being
Newspaper Rock, which I visited last November amongst other historic sites within the National Monument. In Canyonlands, there is the iconic
Great Gallery at Horseshoe Bend. One cannot help
(in my case) to consider a "Wadi Rum Protected Area" style mixed/cultural landscape world heritage site, except the U.S. version would be 11 times larger in size than its counterpart in Jordan.
pikkle:
All of this over Bears Ears National Monument
Not sure what a nomination of Canyonlands National Park - Bear Ears National Monument - Monument Valley Tribal Park would be called
(though a Native/indigenous name would likely be preferred). I suspect ICOMOS and IUCN would be less hesitant about inscription than they were with the Wadi Rum Protected Area.