Wilson Butte Cave

Recent History of Wilson Butte Cave 

Local residents likely knew about Wilson Butte for several years because it was on a common route used by sheepherders to move their stock in early spring. The cave was left undisturbed until the spring of 1958 when the site was found by two amateur collectors. They dug extensive trenches about six feet deep. In late summer of 1958, one of the collectors showed the cave to Alan A. Bryan of Idaho State College Museum and by September 1958, Bryan had shown the cave to Ruth Gruhn, the archaeologist who agreed to excavate the site. Excavations began June 6, 1959; however, even more of the cave deposits had been disturbed. Only the southern half of the cave appeared to be untouched.
 

Later, in 1988, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) commissioned further excavation of Wilson Butte Cave which was continued on into 1989 after additonal funding was secured through a grant. What the 1959 and 1988 excavations revealed was truly remarkable. They provided the first evidence of early people on the Snake River Plain who lived here 10,000 and possibly 15,000 years ago. Wilson Butte Cave is one of a very few sites thought to provide the earliest evidnce of human presence in North America. But how could a few bits of bone and scattered charcoal left behind ancient people tell the story of the past and this site called Wilson Butte Cave?

Next page:  Who Were the First Americans?

Return to Wilson Butte Cave Homepage

TEACHER PAGES

The Mystery of WBC

Recent History of WBC 

Who were the First Americans?

What is Archaeology?
    Teacher Activities
     Archaeology FUNdamentals
    • How do Archaeologists Find 
       Sites?
    • Excavation and Documentation
    • At the Laboratory
    • How Old Is It?

What was found at WBC?

Daily Life at WBC  

When Ice was on the Land

Beringia 

Native American Perspective 

Glossary