Story perspectives

Contractors Blow Up 1,000-Year-Old Arizona Geoglyph, Tribes Protest

5/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Contractors destroyed part of the 1,000-year-old Las Playas geoglyph in Arizona.
Tribal nations claim the wall violates historic-preservation laws and erases ancient sites.
Tohono O’odham Chairman Verlon Jose testified the wall would split the tribe, damage burial areas, and not improve security.
Kumeyaay leaders and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin reported that contractors used dynamite on Kuuchamaa Mountain without consent and that construction will continue despite tribal objections.

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Story summary

Contractors destroyed part of the 1,000-year-old Las Playas geoglyph in Arizona.
Tribal nations claim the wall violates historic-preservation laws and erases ancient sites.
Tohono O’odham Chairman Verlon Jose testified the wall would split the tribe, damage burial areas, and not improve security.
Kumeyaay leaders and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin reported that contractors used dynamite on Kuuchamaa Mountain without consent and that construction will continue despite tribal objections.