The Rock Shelter

The rock shelter is a replica of actual caves found in the Big Horn Basin. Pecked and incised petroglyphs and painted pictographs are represented on the walls with great attention to accuracy. These artistic renderings are copies of the actual displays. The north hillside caves were occupied in the winter for the thermal heating provided by the sun. Southern hillsides were used for their cool shade in the summer.

Caves were excellent places for preservation of artifacts to take place. The dry, cool conditions were conducive to preserving artifacts not normally found in open, harsher conditions. Examples of these finds can be found in the case to the right of the shelter, when visiting Washakie Museum. These artifacts give archaeologists a glimpse of the day to day existence of prehistoric people.

WASHAKIE MUSEUM History ~ Art ~ Earth Science

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