Ultimate Guide to Marmes Rockshelter, Washington (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)

Washington

Ultimate Guide to Marmes Rockshelter, Washington (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)

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The fully flooded Marmes Rockshelter is in Franklin County and consists of a shallow, south-facing rockshelter. Excavations were carried out at the rockshelter, and salvage work started with the anticipated flooding of the Palouse River Canyon. However, efforts were futile as they were submerged in water in 1969.

Marmes Rockshelter, Washington

The flooding was a significant archaeological loss. Still, it was not a fatal blow to the knowledge accumulated about early human habitation in the lower Snake Canyon. Marmes was a treasure of ancient wisdom about the early human culture and livelihood.

History of Marmes Rockshelter

In 1965, Roald Fryxell, a noted geologist, discovered bones as old as 11,000 years in a dusty cave near the meeting point of the Snake and Palouse Rivers. These were the oldest scientifically documented human remains ever found in North America.

The shelter area has been named after the owner of the property, farmer Roland Marmes. The residents knew about this cave for many years. State archaeologists first learned about this site from a resident in 1953, and serious excavations did not start before 1965. It was during this time that the Lower Monumental Dam was being constructed.

The most important thing is that it has been regularly used for approximately 10,000 years. Excavations have revealed that the climate of this region was, at one point in time, cooler as the jawbone of an arctic fox was found here.

Geological Cave Formations in Marmes Rockshelter

During the excavation process, a huge quantity of Olivia shells was found, which seemed to have come from the Pacific Coast, around 200 miles away. This proves that a trade network existed then. However, no significant geological formations were discovered as it was mainly a rockshelter and not a cave.

Wildlife in Marmes Rockshelter

Marmes Rockshelter pine martin and red fox remains have been found

Several traces of plant foods and animal bones were found here during exploration. The United States Geological Survey members found animal remains and bone tools, including bones of forest animals like the red fox and pine marten.

Is Marmes Rockshelter Haunted?

In 1969 the site was wholly submerged in water. The site no longer exists, and there is no chance of it being haunted.

How Big is Marmes Rockshelter?

It was 40 ft wide and 25 ft deep.

Marmes Rockshelter Tours

We know many things about the ancient people from archaeological findings and excavations in the caves and rockshelter. For those unaware, a rockshelter is wider than it is deep, and the cave is just the opposite, deeper than wide. The rockshelter and the caves provided the early man with the required shelter to camp and hunt game or gather materials for making tools.

Marmes Rockshelter Indians used the rockshelter for shelter

Almost 13000 years ago, Indian people started using the rockshelter in SE Washington. It is estimated that by 9700 BCE, the Marmes Rockshelter was being used for cremations as it was a common way of dealing with dead bodies. The people who used the rockshelter hunted rabbits and elk and were also involved in fishing. The people staying in the Rockshelter used a spear as their hunting weapon.

The survey of the area began in 1952, but it was not until 1960 that proper attention was being paid to Marmes Rockshelter. By 1968 it was proved that the site had great archaeological significance, and efforts were in full swing to salvage this marvelous piece of archaeology. The closing of the Lower Monumental Dam gates was postponed for a year, and work on the site continued through 18-hour shifts till February 1969.

But, by that time, only a quarter of the floodplain deposits were excavated, and work in the rockshelter was far from complete. The archaeologists decided to sue bulldozers to access the deeper layers and this action, unfortunately, destroyed much of the archaeological evidence.

All efforts to build a cofferdam and steer the rising waters away from the archaeological site failed. The waters inundated the rockshelter, and today it lies submerged 40 ft below the water’s surface.

Marmes Rockshelter Tour Prices and Discounts

No prices are applicable as the site ceases to exist.

Is Marmes Rockshelter Cold?

The exact temperature inside is unknown, but it is assumed that it was cooler than the surrounding air temperature.

What to Wear?

You can stroll through Franklin County and wear loose, comfortable clothes if you are coming in summer.

Marmes Rockshelter Hours

It cannot be visited anymore, so hours are not relevant anymore.

What to Do at Marmes Rockshelter (Beside Tours)

The site was submerged in water in 1969. So, there is nothing much to see and do here.

Best Time to Visit Marmes Rockshelter

You cannot visit anymore as it is completely submerged underwater.

How to Get to Marmes Rockshelter

The rockshelter, which is now flooded, is in Franklin County, on the west side of Palouse River Canyon.

Hotels near Marmes Rockshelter

There are good hotels in Washtucna and Dayton to put up for a night.

Marmes Rockshelter Fun Facts

Roland Marmes discovered the site.
It was the site of the oldest human remains in the US.
The site was submerged in water in 1969 when a levee failed to hold the water.

Marmes Rockshelter Details

Length: Not known
Time Recommended: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Kid-friendly: NA
Dog-friendly: NA
Fees: NA
Hours: NA

Visiting Marmes Rockshelter

Do you need more information before visiting? No contact details or numbers are readily available with us, but you can always search the internet for more information.

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