09/16/2024 05:34:31 PMNorthern New Mexico College (NNMC) proudly hosted the Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Project’s 25th anniversary celebration on September 13-14, 2024. The event brought together community leaders, project founders, and passionate advocates to commemorate two and a half decades of remarkable efforts in preserving and protecting one of New Mexico's most significant archaeological treasures. Mesa Prieta, located in the Española Valley, is home to an estimated 100,000 petroglyphs dating back centuries, making it one of the largest collections of its kind in North America. Since its founding in 1999, the project has been dedicated to three key goals: documenting as many petroglyphs and archaeological features as possible, educating the public about the cultural significance of the mesa, and safeguarding the site for future generations. In his opening remarks, one speaker captured the collective sentiment of the gathering, stating, “We all know, deep down, that this is a place that is significant and important.” Attendees listened to powerful personal memories and reflected on the milestones achieved by the project, while a series of breathtaking photographs displayed the incredible rock art preserved through these efforts.Milam ShahDr. Matthew Martinez, Executive Director of Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Projectdirector@mesaprietapetroglyphs.org