Read this Billings Gazette story about two items that were recently tested for age and the people that used them 1,000 years ago.
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A new, sandstone-hued interpretive center rises at the foot of rimrocks where Pictograph Cave has drawn human beings for over 3,000 years. Designed for high energy efficiency, the center features a classroom, restrooms, gift shop and indoor exhibits with replicas of artifacts - such as a wooden paint applicator and a bone turtle effigy - found during a Works Progress Administration excavation.
A short 5-mile drive from Billings, the park is an ideal spot to enjoy a shady picnic, add to your birding life list, attend an interpretive program, or just take a stroll in the quiet outdoors.
The Pictograph, Middle and Ghost cave complex was home to generations of prehistoric hunters. With its abundant wildlife and vegetation, the fertile river valley provided an ideal campsite for travelers.
These caves were the site of Montana's first professional archaeological studies and excavations beginning in 1937. Over 30,000 artifacts have been identified from the park. A short paved trail allows visitors to view the rock paintings, known as pictographs, that are still visible in Pictograph Cave, the largest of the three. Interpretive signs tell the story of the archaelogical studies.
Park and Visitor Center Hours:
April - May: Park hours are 10am - 6pm (7 days a week). Visitor Center hours 10am - 5pm (7 days a week)
May 28, 2012 (Memorial Day)through Labor Day the park will be open from 8am to 8pm daily - 7 days a week. The Park will be open both Memorial Day (May 28)and Labor Day (September 3). Visitor Center hours during this time will be from 9am - 7pm (7 days a week).
October through March, Park open 10 AM-5 PM, Visitor Center open 10 AM-4 PM, Wednesday-Sunday.
For more information about archaeology and artwork images from the caves, visit www.pictographcave.org.
Teachers, here's an Indian Education For All Lesson Plan for 4th graders that includes art, language arts, and social studies content.
Download the Pictograph Cave State Park brochure.
In Billings, take Lockwood Exit off I-90, then 5 miles south on Coburn Road. Phone number at the visitor center is (406) 254-7342
(Lat 45.737, Lng
-108.432)
If you have questions or comments please send mail to: Pictograph Cave,
3401 Coburn Road Billings, MT 59101
or call (406) 254-7342
.
