Caves have a natural allure to virtually everyone. How they were formed and what treasures they may hold naturally pique one’s interest. Toquima Cave, located high on Pete’s Summit inside the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest near Austin, is one such cave. Its claim to fame is its thousands of ancient Native American pictographs and petroglyphs that decorate the stone walls.
Toquima Cave is located in the Toquima Mountain Range, about 30 miles southeast of Austin, Nevada.
Ken Lund/Flickr
The Toquima Mountains and Cave are named for a tribe from the lower Reese River Valley and has deep spiritual roots and meaning for Native Americans. The cave is located deep within Pine Creek Canyon. In fact, it’s a 12-mile drive once you enter the canyon to the campground and cave.
Chris M. Morris/Flickr
The hike to the cave’s entrance is approximately one-half of a mile from the Toquima Cave Campground.
Ken Lund/Flickr
The cave itself is fairly shallow and, coupled with the lack of excavated artifacts, have archaeologists believing that it was not used as a dwelling. The protective fencing is to keep visitors from getting too close to the petroglyphs and pictographs; however, it is easy to see inside the cave and there are still numerous photo opportunities.
WildEarth Guardians/Flickr
Toquima Cave contains over 300 pictograph and petroglyph images that date from approximately 1000 B.C. to 500 A.D.
Finisio Medrano (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The pictographs were “painted” by hand several of thousands of years ago with bleached white, bright red, and yellow- orange pigments.
Dale Toume (CC By-SA 2.0)
The color was likely added to the pictographs’ surface with fingers, in a variety of striking and decorative patterns.
Finisia Medrano (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The cave also has dozens of petroglyphs which are actually carved into the rock.
WildEarth Guardians/Flickr
Despite efforts by archaeologists and anthropologists to decipher the drawings, their specific meanings remain largely unknown.
WildEarth Guardians/Flickr
Caves are commonly seen and used by Native Americans as portals with which they can commune with the Earth, experience visions, and try to understand what happens in the afterlife.
WildEarth Guardians/Flickr
Toquima Cave gives visitors a glimpse back into Native American history and culture. It is important to remember this is a sacred site and, as such, should be treated with the utmost of respect. Have you this amazing site? Please share your experiences below.
Ken Lund/Flickr
Chris M. Morris/Flickr
WildEarth Guardians/Flickr
Finisio Medrano (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Dale Toume (CC By-SA 2.0)
Finisia Medrano (CC BY-SA 2.0)
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