World Heritage sites in the USA

Pagans can be unware of the result of some of their rituals or attempts to honor the energies or deities at sacred sites.  . Following these site etiquette guidelines * will help reduce damage to fragile sites and will help to save the past for the future.

• All of the things you see at a site are evidence of the lives of people who once lived there so it is important that you do not move or disturb anything from the site. If you see an interesting artifact you can examine it, draw it, or photograph it, but it is very important that you put it back in the same spot where you found it.
• Be careful not to step on artifacts or middens (ancient trash pits that look like dark stains in the soil).
• Don’t lean sit or stand or climb on prehistoric walls.
• Staying on established paths or trails will help control erosion and preserve the site.
• Modern trash can contaminate the soil of an archaeological site so be sure not to toss an apple core, banana peel or cigarette. Food can attract animals, which can be very destructive to sites.
• Place your campsite away from archaeological sites. Campfires produce charcoal that can confuse radiocarbon dates of an archaeological site, and food attracts animals that may dig or nest on the site.
• Pets can be very destructive to archaeological sites—leave your pooch behind when you are visiting a site.  

* These guidelines were adapted from those developed by the U.S. Forest Service