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 9 is a single boulder with a curious winding-line petroglyph. Archaeologists suggest that this might have been a map. For details of the hike and the other numbered 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.