Paisley Caves

Paisley Caves, an eight-cave complex in Oregon’s Summer Lake basin, became a major archaeological site after renewed excavations beginning in 2002. Finds including artifacts, animal remains, coprolites, and a human-made bulrush shaft placed human activity there around 14,300 to 14,400 years before present, with additional evidence supporting a pre-Clovis occupation. The site’s coprolites and early DNA claims sparked debate over contamination and whether all samples were truly human, yet chemically stable fecal biomarkers and other discoveries continued to challenge the older Clovis-first model. The caves also yielded well-preserved examples of the Western Stemmed Tradition, helping reshape understanding of early technologies and settlement in North America.

Paisley, Oregon · United States