Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Texas Rock Shelter Yields More Than 3,000 Artifacts
Archaeology Magazine ^ | October 29, 2026 | editors / unattributed

Posted on 11/04/2026 11:24:31 AM PST by SunkenCiv

KFDA reports that some 3,000 artifacts were recovered from the Schaeffer Shelter in south-central Texas. Situated on private property in Ceta Canyon, the rock shelter, discovered in 1949 by Stanley Schaeffer, measures about 20 square feet. Archaeologist Brandon Tully said that different groups of people likely returned to the site over thousands of years, and he estimates that some of the recovered artifacts are between 8,000 and 10,000 years old. "We really don't have a lot of information about archaic period sites in the Texas Panhandle, especially rock shelters," Tully said. "Almost all of our rock shelters are from about the last 2,000 years or so," he explained. Older objects may have been brought to the cave, however, Tully cautioned. The objects include a pendant made of dolomite, Southwestern ceramics, and turquoise and marine shell beads. Some of the shell beads are thought to have come from Baja California or the Texas Gulf Coast, more than 500 miles away. Tully also suggests that the landscape of the canyon made it easier to travel through the region. "We've basically been able to prove this was a highway, essentially," he explained. Bones of bison and deer found in the shelter are thought to have been left behind by hunters, while corn recovered there may have been left by people who also farmed, Tully concluded. To read about surreal rock art found at rock shelters in the canyonlands of West Texas, go to "Art for the Ages."

(Excerpt) Read more at archaeology.org ...


TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: caveart; godsgravesglyphs; schaeffershelter; texas; texasrockshelter
Message from Jim Robinson:

Dear FRiends,

We need your continuing support to keep FR funded. Your donations are our sole source of funding. No sugar daddies, no advertisers, no paid memberships, no commercial sales, no gimmicks, no tax subsidies. No spam, no pop-ups, no ad trackers.

If you enjoy using FR and agree it's a worthwhile endeavor, please consider making a contribution today:

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you,

Jim

Archaeologists investigate the Schaeffer rock shelter in Ceta Canyon, Happy, Texas.
Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum
Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum

1 posted on 11/04/2026 11:24:31 AM PST by SunkenCiv
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: StayAt HomeMother; Ernest_at_the_Beach; 1ofmanyfree; 21twelve; 24Karet; 2ndDivisionVet; 31R1O; ...

2 posted on 11/04/2026 11:25:01 AM PST by SunkenCiv (TDS -- it's not just for DNC shills and jihadists anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

So just where is this discovery? South-Central Texas and the Texas Panhandle are not the same place.


3 posted on 11/04/2026 11:36:14 AM PST by Berosus (I wish I had as much faith in God as liberals have in government.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

Did they find Talarico’s balls in there? He is our new Lindsay Graham!


4 posted on 11/04/2026 11:44:36 AM PST by crusty old prospector
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Berosus

The OP indicates panhandle near the atom bomb factory


5 posted on 11/04/2026 11:45:36 AM PST by ASOC (YGBSM)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Berosus

Basically southwestern Palo Duro Canyon.


6 posted on 11/04/2026 11:46:12 AM PST by crusty old prospector
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Berosus

Nobody can read maps anymore. Just south of Amarillo.


7 posted on 11/04/2026 12:35:27 PM PST by Resolute Conservative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Berosus

Randall County.


8 posted on 11/04/2026 12:43:05 PM PST by SunkenCiv (TDS -- it's not just for DNC shills and jihadists anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson