Marmes Rockshelter | |
 Unknown officials in the Marmes Rock Shelter before it was submerged | |
  Marmes Rockshelter  Marmes Rockshelter | |
| Location | Franklin County, Washington, U.S. |
|---|---|
| NRHP reference No. | 66000745 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966[1] |
| Designated NHL | July 19, 1964[2] |
The Marmes Rockshelter (also known as (45-FR-50)) is an archaeological site first excavated in 1962,[3] near Lyons Ferry Park and the confluence of the Snake and Palouse Rivers, in Franklin County, southeastern Washington. This rockshelter is remarkable in the level of preservation of organic materials, the depth of stratified deposits, and the apparent age of the associated Native American human remains. The site was discovered on the property of Roland Marmes, and was the site of the oldest human remains in North America at that time.[4] In 1966, the site became, along with Chinook Point and the American and English Camps on San Juan Island, the first National Historic Landmarks listed in Washington.[5] In 1969, the site was submerged in water when a levee protecting it from waters rising behind the then newly constructed Lower Monumental Dam, which was 20 miles (32 km) down the Snake River, failed to hold back water that leaked into the protected area through gravel under the soil,[4] creating Lake Herbert G. West.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 18, 2007. Archived from the original on September 25, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2008.
- ^ "Marmes Rockshelter". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on September 25, 2012. Retrieved June 26, 2008.
- ^ Hicks 2004, p. 4
- ^ a b LeWarne 2003, pp. 23–24
- ^ "Washington State Historic Preservation Office - Timeline" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 23, 2007. Retrieved February 28, 2008.