July
08
/ 2023
In 2021, the Meadowcroft Rockshelter in Pennsylvania was identified as the oldest human occupational site in North America, dated to at least 16,000 radiocarbon years old, or 19,000 calendar years old. Now, that title might be usurped by Rimrock Draw Rockshelter, a close contender for the title, which is displaying evidence of occupation to at least 18,000 years ago! Analysis of blood residue on a scraper tool crafted by humans and extracted from the rockshelter in southeastern Oregon revealed the presence of animal proteins on the tool. ‘Magical Preservation’ at Rimrock Draw Rockshelter Under an official partnership agreement with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), archaeologist Patrick O'Grady from the University of Oregon’s Archaeological Field School and his colleagues have
