The foothills and mountains of Simi Valley offer a wonderful respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Hiking the local hills becomes especially enticing this time of year as the rains have left behind a collection of wildflowers and greenery that is truly breathtaking.

But what many don’t realize—or perhaps don’t pay much attention to—is that the trails bring hikers into contact not only with nature, but also with history.

Archeologists have proof that this region was inhabited 13,000 years ago. Imagine what it would have been like to see firsthand a mammoth lumber across what is now Royal Avenue.

Over the ensuing years, civilizations came and went, leaving behind fragmented evidence of how life had been for the area’s earliest residents.

Most prevalent are the artifacts left by the Chumash Indians. Dating back roughly 3,000 years, the Chumash were an indigenous people who lived along the Central and Southern Coast in small groups.

What troubles archeologists is that some hikers forget that the taking of ancient artifacts found in nature is wrong.

First, taking any natural or manmade artifact from public land, such as a state or national forest, is illegal. It’s also illegal to take artifacts from private property without permission of the landowner.

Second, removing artifacts from their natural surroundings robs archeologists of the opportunity to fully understand the significance of the relic. Although anthropologists have a relatively clear idea of the region’s timeline as it relates to humans, there are still eras—literally thousands of years—that offer little evidence of how life used to be. In this regard, a relic can be a clue.

Finally—and perhaps most importantly—is the fact that areas containing significant artifacts often suggest burial sites. The removal of ancient remains is perhaps the most disrespectful form of vandalism imaginable.

It’s best, experts say, to simply note the location of the artifacts in as much detail as possible and then report the site to a museum or appropriate forestry department. Someday 13,000 years from now, we’d want hikers to show us the same respect.