Ghosts of the Mojave by starship64

Photography • Historical • posted on Jan 16, 2009

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Description

At this site in the Western Mojave Desert thousands of pictures like these have been carved into the rocks. Their age is unknown, although newly developed (and not fully trusted) tests on similar carvings elsewhere in Eastern California suggest that some of them may be 10,000 or more years old. Archaeological excavation here has uncovered three distinct periods of occupation, based on the types of projectile points in use. The oldest of these dates dates to around 9,000-6,000 BC, followed by a settlement of about 2,000-1,500 BC, and then one from about AD 1200 until contact with Euro-Americans sometime in the nineteenth century. Sadly, the site has been badly vandalized in recent years. Because of this, I don't feel I can reveal its exact location in a public forum like this. Anybody who wants to go see this wonderful spot for themselves (which I HIGHLY recommend) can inquire at the Barstow office of the BLM.