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Crystal Wash Main Archeological Site -- Site 1
Rock Art Around Las Vegas
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Crystal Wash Main Site 01
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Crystal Wash Main Site 01
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.

Crystal Wash Main Site 01
Sign-in register, carsonite sign (view NE towards Site 1)
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
Approaching Site 1 (view NE)
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
Front face of boulder: petroglyphs and grinding slick (view NE)
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
Some petroglyphs are easier to see on a cloudy day
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
Some petroglyphs are easier to see on a cloudy day
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
Grinding slick below front face of boulder (view down)
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
Grinding slick below front face of boulder (close-up, view down)
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
Moving around the left side of the boulder (view NE)
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
The first boulder hides a second boulder (view SE)
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
Second boulder has a shady, scooped out alcove (view SW)
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
Base of the alcove has grinding slicks (left edge)
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
Base of the alcove has grinding slicks (right edge)
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
Petroglyphs at back of alcove (view S)
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
Petroglyphs at back of alcove (view S)
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
Petroglyphs at back of alcove (close-up; view S)
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
Petroglyphs at back of alcove (close-up; view S)
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
Moving left, backside of front boulder has petroglyphs (view NW)
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
petroglyph on backside of front boulder (view NW)
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
petroglyph on backside of front boulder (view NW)
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
Away from main boulders, there are several grinding slicks (view N)
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
Away from main boulders, there are several grinding slicks (view N)
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
Away from main boulders, there are several grinding slicks
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
Away from main boulders, there are several grinding slicks
Crystal Wash Main Site 01
Away from main boulders, there are several grinding slicks

Happy Hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240323

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