About 13,000 years ago, people began mining red mustard in this region. A scientific article describing the excavations was published in the journal PNAS.

Finding details

Wyoming archaeologist Spencer Pelton says: “We have conclusive evidence that it was used by Paleo-Indians 12,840 years ago and lasted for about 1,000 years.”

• Made from hematite, red ocher was used in Paleo-Indian communities for a variety of purposes, including sacred rituals.
• Found in ancient tombs, hiding places, parking lots, and murder sites in the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains and beyond.
• Mine Powars II is the only red ocher quarry discovered in northern Mexico and is one of five quarries in both Americas.
• Among the artifacts found at the Powars II site are hints of the Clovis culture, the first authentic archaeological culture in the Americas.
• Tips from later cultures, tools and beads made from turtles were also found – a total of several thousand artifacts, as well as many well-preserved animal bones and antlers. Only bones and horns were used to extract red ocher in the quarry.

NThe end of the Clovis culture / Photo by Spencer Pelton

Clovis Culture Tip / Photo by Spencer Pelton

The vehicles found come from a variety of places, including as far afield as the Edwards Plateau in Texas. The red ocher found in archaeological excavations in Central America is believed to have been mined in the Powars II quarry.

There are more than 30 chipped stone tools per square meter, the oldest dog remains from American archaeological excavations, and unique artifacts in this area.
says Pelton.

Researchers believe evidence indicates that the quarry was used in two periods.

• In the first radiocarbon dating of 12,840 years ago and several hundred years ago, people here not only extracted red ocher using bones and horns as tools, but also manufactured and repaired weapons and engaged in other activities.
• After a break in the century, this place was once again occupied by people harvesting red ocher.

Excavations are still continuing.