This is an area 150 x 54 mm on rock art panel 2 at the Grotto Alcove of the Palatki Heritage Site in the Red Rock District of the Coconino Forest NW of Sedona Arizona. The red Sinagua 800+ year old pictograph has been noticably fading at an excelereated rate for over 10 years. Although road dust may be playing a role, highly color calibrated macro photos taken in late 2022 compared to 2016 baseline photos indicate measurable color spectrum and luminosity change.
Macro and micro imagery such as this model, strongly imply that road dust is not the primary factor. Several of the bright white crystalline areas are likely carbonate (sulphate ?) precipitation on the rock face extending into the rock fabric. Abundant light colored cryptocrystalline (opaline silica?) material is growing out from the rock face and progressively covering both silt and fine sandstone grains and the darker red pre-historic paint.
Axial movement of this mesh is not correctly aligned and will be corrected when possible.
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