The Curse of the Petrified Forest
The Curse of the Petrified Forest is a peculiar phenomenon intertwined with the history and mystique of Petrified Forest National Park in northeastern Arizona. This park, a geological marvel and a testament to deep time, captivates visitors with its stunning landscapes and, most notably, its abundance of petrified wood. For generations, since the first trails were carved through this region in the mid-19th century, people have been drawn to the unique beauty of these fossilized trees, often taking pieces as souvenirs.
However, the allure of these ancient stones comes with a cautionary tale – a legend, perhaps, or a self-fulfilling prophecy – known as the Curse of the Petrified Forest. While the removal of petrified wood from the park has been illegal since it was designated a National Monument in 1906, the temptation to possess a tangible piece of this history has proven difficult for some to resist. But, many who have taken a piece of the petrified wood from the park have experienced bad luck.
To truly understand the Curse of the Petrified Forest, one must first delve into the park’s geological origins. Over 200 million years ago, during the Late Triassic period, the area was a lush, tropical wetland teeming with towering trees and vibrant vegetation. A network of streams and rivers crisscrossed the landscape. Catastrophic floods frequently occurred, uprooting trees and carrying them downstream into the sandy floodplains.
A series of events contributed to the petrification process. Volcanic eruptions blanketed the area in ash, burying the fallen trees under layers of sediment composed of volcanic ash, mud, and water. This sediment provided the perfect environment for permineralization, a remarkable process where organic materials are slowly replaced by minerals, primarily quartz. Over eons, the wood transformed into stone, retaining its original form but becoming a durable, colorful fossil. Erosion eventually exposed these petrified logs, revealing the stunning landscape we see today.
The Petrified Forest area was initially designated a National Monument on December 8, 1906, to protect its unique geological resources. The Painted Desert, with its vibrant hues and dramatic badlands, was later incorporated. On December 9, 1962, the entire monument was elevated to National Park status, encompassing a vast expanse of 93,533 acres.
It was around the 1930s that stories began to circulate about visitors experiencing misfortune after taking pieces of petrified wood from the park. What began as anecdotal tales soon solidified into a pervasive belief – the Curse of the Petrified Forest. This curse, it is said, brings about a string of unfortunate events, ranging from minor inconveniences to significant life disruptions.
Adding credence to this legend is the existence of a unique collection housed within the Rainbow Forest Museum at Petrified Forest National Park. This room, known as the "Mystery of the Conscience Wood," is dedicated to the returned petrified wood and the accompanying letters from remorseful individuals. These letters, numbering over 1,200 pages, detail a wide array of misfortunes, from divorce and job loss to illness, accidents, and general feelings of despair. The oldest "conscience letter" dates back to 1935.
The accounts are often strikingly similar. Individuals describe the initial thrill of acquiring a piece of petrified wood, followed by a gradual descent into bad luck. They attribute their misfortunes directly to the stolen rock, pleading with park officials to return the pieces to their rightful place in the hopes of breaking the curse.
One visitor recounted the challenge of sneaking a piece of petrified wood out of the park over a decade prior, writing, "Since that time, though, nothing in my life has gone right." Another, in desperation, wrote, "My life has been destroyed since we’ve been back from vacation. Please put these back so my life can get back to normal! Let me start over again!" A third simply stated, "Take these miserable rocks and put them back; they have caused pure havoc in my love life."
The park has even established "conscience piles" at the southern entrance and other locations, where visitors can anonymously return the stolen wood. However, due to the importance of maintaining the scientific integrity of the park, these returned pieces cannot be placed back in their original locations, as they are then considered to be out of "scientific context." The movement of rocks and other artifacts can compromise archaeological, geological, and paleontological research.
Skeptics may dismiss the Curse of the Petrified Forest as mere coincidence or the power of suggestion. However, the sheer volume of returned petrified wood and the consistent themes in the accompanying letters suggest that something more profound may be at play. Whether it is guilt, a psychological phenomenon, or a genuine curse, the stories serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of respecting nature and leaving no trace.
Adding an ironic twist to the situation is the fact that visitors can legally purchase petrified wood from private lands just outside the park. These commercially sourced pieces, often inexpensive, do not carry the purported curse. This readily available alternative offers a guilt-free way to acquire a piece of petrified wood without risking the wrath of the Curse of the Petrified Forest.
The Curse of the Petrified Forest serves as a cautionary tale, urging visitors to appreciate the park’s natural wonders without disturbing them. The park’s unique resources are more valuable in their natural context than as ill-gotten souvenirs.