Plan to build border wall along the Rio Grande in Texas threatens prehistoric rock art, locals warn

Plans to extend the Mexico–US border wall through Val Verde County, Texas, have prompted warnings from archaeologists and local landowners that construction could damage prehistoric rock art in the Lower Pecos region near where the Pecos River meets the Rio Grande. The area contains hundreds of Pecos River–style murals, some created as early as 5,700 years ago, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2021, according to Carolyn Boyd of Texas State University and the Shumla Archaeological Research & Education Center. Boyd estimates around 80 known sites would fall south of the proposed wall and another 13 would lie within 500 meters, while landowner Raymond Skiles Jr. told KSAT that federal notices suggest the wall could cut across private property and that vibrations could destabilize rock surfaces. US Customs and Border Protection said it conducted outreach and environmental assessments and aims to mitigate impacts, but Boyd and Skiles said they were unaware of any public outreach; the project timeline remains uncertain as negotiations continue for the broader Big Bend segment.

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