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The Paisley Caves complex is a system of four caves in an arid, desolate region of south-central Oregon, United States. One of the caves contains archaeological evidence of the oldest definitively-dated human presence in North America. The site was first archeologically studied in the 1930s. Scientific excavations since 2002 have uncovered substantial new discoveries.

Recent finds

A field school from the University of Oregon has been examining the site since 2002 and analyzing its pre-Clovis artifacts. In the summer of 2007, they identified the oldest human DNA yet discovered in the American continents. This assertion is based on several samples of coprolite (fossilized excrement) found in the Paisley Caves complex, between Lakeview and Bend, Oregon, on the eastern side of the Cascade mountain range.

The fossils were found in Paisley Five Mile Point Cave at the same level as a small rock-lined hearth some 7 feet (2 m) below the modern surface. At that level was also discovered a large number of bones from waterfowl, fish, and large mammals including extinct camel and horse. Radiocarbon dating places these coprolites between 12,750 and 14,290 calendar years before the present, probably representing a pre-Clovis occupation. DNA analysis provides apparent genetic ties to Siberia or Asia.

Evidence at other archaeological sites—as well as 1930s work at Paisley Caves—had also been thought to provide such evidence, but questionable excavation techniques clouded the issue. Knowing this, the U of O team worked carefully to avoid the mistakes of the past. The theory that Pre-Clovis immigrants traveled to North America down the Pacific Coast suggests that the travelers would have passed through the hinterlands of what is Oregon today. The Paisley Caves, up-river from the Pacific Ocean along the Klamath River, are therefore an ideal spot to search for the evidence of such people. The fossils provide evidence of the groups possibly having lived there. DNA from coyote, fox, and dog (or wolf) were also found.

The caves are in the Summer Lake basin at 4,520 feet (1,380 m) elevation and face to the west in a ridge of Miocene and Pliocene era basalts mixed with soft volcanic tuffs and breccias from which the caves were carved by Pleistocene era waves from Summer Lake. The caves are located north of the city of Paisley, Oregon.

See also

• Fort Rock Cave
• Kennewick Man
• Marmes Rockshelter

References

1. ^ David Wolman (April 3, 2008). "Fossil Feces Is Earliest Evidence of N. America Humans". National Geographic News. Retrieved 2008-04-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
2. Gilbert, M. Thomas P., Dennis L. Jenkins, et al. DNA from Pre-Clovis Human Coprolites in Oregon, North America, Science Express. 2008-04-03.
3. Preclovis
4. Fox, Maggie. Ancient feces indicates earlier American origins, Scientific American, April 3 2008.
5. Researchers, Led by Archaeologist, Find Pre-Clovis Human DNA Newswise, Retrieved on July 7, 2008.
6. ^ M. Thomas P. Gilbert (3 April2008). "DNA from Pre-Clovis Human Coprolites in Oregon, North America" (PDF). Science. American Association for the Advancement of Science. Retrieved 2008-04-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
7. Dennis L. Jenkins, Director, Northern Great Basin Field School. "NGBPP Research at the Paisley Caves". Retrieved 2008-04-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

• Paisley Caves description from University of Oregon
• Wilford, John Noble (April 8, 2008), "Evidence Supports Earlier Date for People in North America", The New York Times {{citation}}: Text "pages" ignored (help)

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