Gatecliff Rockshelter, Archaeological site in Monitor Valley, Nevada, US.
Gatecliff Rockshelter is an archaeological site in the Toquima Range mountains, situated at high elevation on a mountain in Monitor Valley. It contains 56 geological layers with well-preserved sediment deposits that document human activity across multiple millennia.
The site was discovered in 1970 and underwent major excavations in the 1970s, revealing evidence of human habitation dating from about 5500 to 1250 BCE. These digs showed that the shelter was occupied during multiple periods of prehistory.
The rockshelter contains evidence of human presence through animal bones, stone tools, and rock art with human figures and geometric designs. These objects reveal how different groups used this place over thousands of years.
The site sits at high elevation in Mill Canyon and requires good physical condition to visit due to the mountain setting and terrain. It is best to check ahead of time if access is available, as the location serves as an active research area.
The shelter contains one of the deepest archaeological records in the Americas, preserved through natural protection from erosion and water damage. This rare state of preservation allows researchers to study human activity from thousands of years ago in exceptional detail.
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