Humans make mistakes; it’s a part of life. But sometimes impulses like sticking your hand in a gargoyle’s mouth can have catastrophic consequences. Luckily, no damage was inflicted on this artifact. Whether the incident was a sincere blunder or a bout of stupidity, here are 10 historical sites that were forever ruined by humans. We advise you to practice common sense when visiting another country.
The Mayrieres Cave
During the 1990s in France, a scouting group set out to scrub the walls of graffiti. Armed with steel brushes, the group noticed some “graffiti” in the cave and began cleaning it off. Turns out that the graffiti was a 15,000-year-old bison painting. The accidental destruction of an ancient artifact earned the group an Ig Nobel Prize in Archaeology, a satirical award for those who make people laugh or think.
Atacama Desert
Over three centuries ago, pre-Columbian people in modern-day Chile carved huge pictures into the landscape of the Atacama Desert. They dug into the ground to unearth lighter soil that depicted geometric shapes, animals, and human forms when contrasted with the darker soil. Remarkably, these artworks have remained preserved due to the region’s particularly dry climate. But that didn’t stop the archaeological site from being ruined. Offroading enthusiasts have completely damaged some sites, leaving tire tracks over the 3,000-year-old artifacts.
The Senator Tree
In 2012, a mighty, 3,500-year-old bald cypress stood at 125 feet in Florida soil. Until a woman and a friend decided to smoke meth inside the tree. The woman explained to a court she started a small fire so she could see the crystal meth she was going to inject. Tragically, the Senator caught fire and only a portion of its trunk remains standing.
Graffiti in the US National Park System
One aspiring artist traveled to seven national parks and defaced their natural landscape with her art. She drew and painted human faces on rock surfaces, some depicted smoking a cigarette. The pieces were tagged “Creepytings,” appearing at multiple parks such as Yosemite, Rocky Mountain, Crater Lake, and more. A band of Reddit users helped authorities track down the artist, who was subsequently banned from the national park system and sentenced to two years’ probation.
Roman Colosseum
The Roman Colosseum is just like every nightclub bathroom—walls are strewn with graffiti. Interestingly, most of the writing and drawing were done by ancient graffiti artists. A fascinating glimpse into the gladiator days and their social consciousness. However, that has inspired many tourists to participate. Tourists’ initials and former gladiators are carved into the walls: “Julius was here.”
Carlsbad Caverns
The incident at the Carlsbad Caverns proved how delicate our ecosystems can be. After a park tourist left an open Cheetos bag in the cave, it had an immediate impact: the humidity and processed corn created conditions for new microbes and fungi to thrive. The resulting mold spread throughout the cave and produced an unpleasant odor. Park rangers were able to stop it from spreading but not without showing us how sensitive Earth’s ecosystems are.
Phae Gate
The Phae Gate is one of the entrances to the old city of Chiang Mai. Found in Thailand, the area attracts tourists for its nearby restaurants, bars, cafes, and its Sunday night market, which might explain why a British tourist drunkenly spray painted “Scouser Lee” on the historical structure. The man was subsequently fined almost six thousand dollars.
Jonah’s Tomb
Jonah, the prophet who was swallowed by a whale, is significant to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Many believe his tomb was at a Sunni mosque called Mosque of the Prophet Yunus (Jonah). Members of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) detonated explosives and destroyed the shrine. Their religious beliefs consider any religious shrines idolatrous. The conservative extremist group erased the past, blowing up Jonah’s purported resting place. Researchers will never know for sure, though.
Saudi Arabia
According to the Islamic Heritage Research Foundation in London, over 98% of Saudi Arabia’s historical and religious sites have been destroyed since 1985. One of the most important demolished sites was the Al-Baqi Cemetery in Medina. Prophet Muhammad reportedly founded the cemetery, serving as the resting place for his relatives and companions. Islamic law forbids idolatry and destroyed the site twice in 1806 and 1926.
National Museum of Iraq
As U.S. troops entered Baghdad in 2003, looters stormed the National Museum of Iraq and ran away with thousands of relics from Mesopotamia, Persia, and Abbasid civilizations. Only some of the stolen items have been returned. The incident was a massive blow to Iraq’s heritage. Among the stolen items were a 5,000-year-old vase and harp, a life-size bronze statue of a young man, and tablets with cuneiform writing.
