Wilson Butte Cave, Archaeological site in Snake River Plain, Idaho.
Wilson Butte Cave is a natural chamber in the basalt lava bed of the Snake River Plain, rising from the flat ground like a rounded bubble. The interior contains a spacious underground room that was occupied and used by people over thousands of years.
Occupation of this cave extends back more than 10,000 years, confirmed by excavations in 1959 and 1988 that revealed tools and artifacts from these periods. These findings show that the site was inhabited continuously over an exceptionally long timespan.
Indigenous peoples including the Fremont and Shoshone made this cave their home during hunting expeditions in the region. Traces of daily life and extended stays by these groups remain visible in the excavated chambers.
Access is via Hunt Road northeast of Twin Falls and is available year-round, though winter weather can make vehicle access challenging. Visitors should prepare for uneven terrain and be ready for difficult conditions during bad weather.
A marked camel bone was discovered inside the cave, showing that prehistoric people lived alongside extinct animals no longer found in the region. This finding offers a rare glimpse into the ecosystem that existed thousands of years ago.
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