The Museum of Idaho has released the following news release.
IDAHO GOES DOWN The Wasden-Croft Archaeological Preserve, one of the most important archaeological sites in the area, is open to the public in August. Museum archaeologists will be leading the tour.
On August 15 and August 29, two guided tours will provide participants with unique perspectives on the ancient history of Idaho.
Many residents are unaware that there is a significant archaeological site in our backyard. Jeff Carr, Director of Development at MOI, said, “We love being able to show it off and learn more about life for the earliest inhabitants of East Idaho.”
The Wasden-Croft Preserve, which is situated in the Arco Desert, has a network of lava-tube caverns with approximately 13,000 years of human activity history. Archaeologists’ long-held timeframes and presumptions are challenged by the collection, which tells the story of the earliest Idahoans. After being excavated from the site, more than 80,000 artifacts—including tools, ceramics, and animal bones from the Ice Age—are currently housed in MOI’s research collection.
Archaeologists are reevaluating what life would have been like on the Eastern Snake River Plain during the Terminal Pleistocene/Early Holocene as a result of the Wasden Archaeological site, especially Owl Cave, according to MOI curator Kristina Frandson. Owl Cave may have one of the oldest bison drives in North America and one of the westernmost bison drives known to date, according to recent data and taphonomic examination of bison remains found in the 60s and 70s.
Every tour starts at the Museum of Idaho, where visitors may see unique items from our research annex’s Wasden Collection. Participants will then ride along with MOI personnel to the cave site for a picnic lunch and a guided tour.
Dates of the Tour: August 15 and August 29Hours: 9:00 am to 2:30 pm.Tickets: archaeotour25 at museumofidaho.org/eventAges: 12 and older. There isn’t much room.Travel and lunch are included.
