Crystal Wash Main Archeological Site -- Site 1
Rock Art Around Las Vegas
Site 1 | Site 1a | Site 2 | Site 3 | Site 4 | Site 5 | Site 6 | Site 7 | Site 8 | Site 9 | Site 10
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 Marker #1 is missing |
Overview The Crystal Wash Main Archeological Site (or "Rock Story" site) is an area of desert-varnished, volcanic boulders along a sandy wash and on a gently sloping hillside above the wash. Above the wash, ancient people stayed in the area for long periods of time, probably living here during winters. While here, they flaked stones, built fires, broke ceramic vessels, and etched the rocks with representational (e.g., bighorn sheep and human figures) and abstract images. Back in their time, Crystal Creek probably flowed past the village. Site 1 includes the sign-in register and two isolated boulders with petroglyphs plus several grinding slicks in the area closely surrounding the boulders. For details of the hike and the other sites here, see Crystal Wash Main. For additional information about the area, download the 57-page Lincoln County brochure or just the 3 pages about Crystal Wash Main. |
 Sign-in register, carsonite sign (view NE towards Site 1) |
 Approaching Site 1 (view NE) |
 Front face of boulder: petroglyphs and grinding slick (view NE) |
 Some petroglyphs are easier to see on a cloudy day |
 Some petroglyphs are easier to see on a cloudy day |
 Grinding slick below front face of boulder (view down) |
 Grinding slick below front face of boulder (close-up, view down) |
 Moving around the left side of the boulder (view NE) |
 The first boulder hides a second boulder (view SE) |
 Second boulder has a shady, scooped out alcove (view SW) |
 Base of the alcove has grinding slicks (left edge) |
 Base of the alcove has grinding slicks (right edge) |
 Petroglyphs at back of alcove (view S) |
 Petroglyphs at back of alcove (view S) |
 Petroglyphs at back of alcove (close-up; view S) |
 Petroglyphs at back of alcove (close-up; view S) |
 Moving left, backside of front boulder has petroglyphs (view NW) |
 petroglyph on backside of front boulder (view NW) |
 petroglyph on backside of front boulder (view NW) |
 Away from main boulders, there are several grinding slicks (view N) |
 Away from main boulders, there are several grinding slicks (view N) |
 Away from main boulders, there are several grinding slicks |
 Away from main boulders, there are several grinding slicks |
 Away from main boulders, there are several grinding slicks |
Happy Hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
; Last updated 240323
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