This was a slow day. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, it was a regular work day for Martha and a “fiddle around” day for Byron, who made a run to Pierce RV in Billings to see what the dealership was like. Second, it was hot. Since we had been in upper elevations for more than a week we got used to temperatures no higher than 78. Here at the lower level it got between 95 and 100, depending on which way you stood.
Like fools, we took off for a discovery adventure to Pictograph Cave State Park — in the middle of the day. Martha was ready for a break and she was caught up on reports to complete.
The park was about six miles from the Billings KOA where we were parked. It is situated along the rimrocks about 1,500 feet above the river valley. It is a cluster of caves where, over a period of five thousand years, historic American Indian counterparts left behind a legacy of painted images and artifacts. The walls of the caves are sandstone. These caves are actually more like shelters and were probably only used for temporary purposes since they only go back into the rimrock from 60 to 90 feet.
It is a bit of a steep climb up the concrete walk to the main cave of Pictograph State Park. Archaeologist feel that the rims of the rock indicate that this area was once under water. Oyster beds are imprinted in the sides of the sandstone.
In the early 1900s the “Indian Caves,” as the locals called them, were a popular stopping place along the stage route between Billings and the town of Coburn on the Crow Indian Reservation. At the location there was a spring and cool shade of the nearby box elder trees. Tough the caves were well known in the area it wasn’t until 1937 when interest in them increased. In that year amateur archaeologists discovered artifacts that were first discovered by WPA personnel.
Though they cannot be viewed in this photo, the images do appear along the back wall of the shelter.
In all, 106 pictographs inside the cave have been documented. The images are a collection of red, white, and, occasionally, yellow figures over earlier designs painted in black. Images of coup sticks and warriors in full regalia mingled with turtles, bears, and bison have been documented. The paintings on the cave walls have greatly deteriorated over the last 60 years and are scarcely visible today. Still, it’s an interesting part of the history of this area.
Though faint, it is possible to see some of the images in this photo. Actually, there are two, distinct drawings viewable in this image. The black dotted line indicates the original level of the floor prior to excavation of the site.
When we started to return to Billings we noticed where there was a wild fire burning. Later on the news it was reported that the fire started at 1 p.m. and had burned a couple thousand acres by 5 p.m. causing many to evacuate their homes while other ranchers helped in evacuating cattle. It is very dry in the area except for some of the irrigated fields and areas within a mile of the Yellowstone River.
After having dinner we took the dogs for a walk. By then a cool front had passed through making it possible to sit in a swing without perspiring.
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