Black Mountain Archeological District facts for kids

The Black Mountain Archeological District is a special area in Wyoming where scientists study very old human history. It's located near a town called Shell, Wyoming, in a big valley known as the Bighorn Basin. This district is important because it has lots of ancient sites where people found and used a special kind of rock called chert to make tools and weapons.

This historical area covers about 530 acres (which is like 400 football fields!). People lived and worked here for a very long time, starting about 11,500 years ago. They continued to use the area until about 400 to 1,500 years ago.

What is the Black Mountain Archeological District?

The Black Mountain Archeological District is a place where archaeologists (scientists who study human history) have found many clues about ancient people. These clues include tools, campsites, and places where people dug for special rocks.

Why is Black Mountain Important?

This district is important because it shows us how people lived and used the land for thousands of years. It helps us understand their daily lives, how they hunted, and how they made the tools they needed to survive.

Who Lived Here and When?

People lived here for a very long time, starting about 11,500 years ago! This was during a time called the Paleoindian Period. They continued to use the area until about 400 to 1,500 years ago, which is known as the Late Prehistoric Period. Scientists haven't found any signs of people living here more recently than that.

What Kinds of Sites Are There?

Scientists have found different types of ancient places here. These include:

• Six rock shelters: These are natural caves or overhangs in rocks where people could find protection from the weather.
• Two campsites at the bottom of canyons: These were places where people set up temporary homes.
• One campsite on a flat area between two valleys: This kind of spot is called an interfluve.
• The Black Mountain and East Spring Creek chert quarries: These are places where people dug for chert.

What is Chert and Why Was it Used?

Chert is a very hard, fine-grained rock. Ancient people loved to use chert because it breaks with very sharp edges. This made it perfect for making tools like arrowheads, spear points, knives, and scrapers.

The Red Chert of Black Mountain

The chert found at Black Mountain comes from a rock layer called the Phosphoria Formation. This chert is special because it has a distinct red color. This color might have made it easy to recognize and find.

How Was Black Mountain Protected?

Because of its important history and the many ancient sites found there, the Black Mountain Archeological District was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 2, 1987. This means it is recognized as a significant historical place and is protected.