Floodwaters Uncover Ancient Hunting Site

Floodwaters in the Payette National Forest have uncovered a cache of animal remains and artifacts believed to be 2,500 years old.

The site was discovered while Forest Service archaeologists were inspecting a section of road damaged by January’s floods. The high water rerouted a stream from its channel, eroding the road and exposing the site.

Archaeologist Larry Kingsbury said they found remains of deer, elk, canine, fresh water mussels and projectile dart points.

The exposed site is an island six meters long, one meter high created by the high water, he said. No human remains were found at the site.