Arizona Border Wall Construction Damages Ancient Site

Construction crews building a second border wall in Arizona damaged a 1,000-year-old archaeological site in the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, according to multiple sources briefed on the incident. The site, an ancient intaglio depicting a 200-foot-long fish shape, was documented by archaeologists in 2002 and marked with stakes in mid-April to indicate its boundaries.

The refuge, one of the largest wilderness areas outside Alaska, includes lands considered sacred to the Tohono O’odham Nation. Archaeologist Rick Martynec and his wife Sandy Martynec, who has studied the site for more than two decades, observed the protective stakes during a visit around that time.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are advancing the wall project as part of a $5 billion expansion under the Trump administration, with crews progressing at a rate of three miles per week. The project includes a secondary barrier and a "smart wall" for continuous surveillance.

DHS issued waivers exempting the construction from certain environmental and cultural protection laws.

Refuge manager Rijk Morawe surveyed the area and detailed the incident to the Martynecs. Discussions between the refuge, DHS, and the contractor included proposals for an alternative route to avoid the site. A federal employee with direct knowledge described the damage as irreparable.

Concerns were relayed to tribal officials and environmental groups, but construction proceeded. Satellite imagery from April 24 shows approximately 60 to 70 feet of the intaglio obliterated by heavy machinery.

CBP did not respond to requests for comment by press time. The administration has allocated more than $11 billion for new barriers and surveillance technology along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Rick Martynec stated, “I liken it to destroying the Nazca lines — something that culturally we should have been relishing and promoting. Not destroying.” Sandy Martynec reported that her calls to officials resulted in promises of meetings but no immediate action.

Previous construction during the Trump administration's first term included blasting through hills in Organ Pipe National Monument, which contains a known burial ground, and bulldozing a road through a Hohokam burial site in Coronado National Forest despite tribal briefings.

The incident was first reported by The Washington Post.