EAST JORDAN -- For the fourth time this spring, vandals have left their mark in the Ancient World at Raven Hill Discovery Center in Charlevoix County.
The first three times occurred in April when a truck dug up the grounds, making large "doughnuts" in the soft soil at the Egyptian Obelisk and in the Mayan Ball Court.
The latest and much more extensive damage was discovered Tuesday. Vandals broke one of the Cultural Flagpoles, knocked down the Bamboo Forest and destroyed the Egyptian Obelisk, a 10-foot tall, solid limestone $2,800 sculpture by artist Jim Garrison of Kalamazoo.
The sculpture was installed in 2006 as a part of the Ancient Techniques and Technologies grant award from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.
A visitor to Raven Hill actually photographed the Obelisk on Sunday, May 30th, but did not realize that it should have been standing. When standing, the Obelisk functioned as a sundial and a calendar. Ancient Egyptians used the position of the narrow shadow cast by obelisks to tell the time and the length of the shadow to determine the month of the year.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to leave a voicemail message at 231.547.0438, extension 212 or contact the Charlevoix County Sheriff's Office at 231.547.4461.
To learn more about the Raven Hill Discovery Center CLICK HERE.
