Paisley Caves
Paisley 5 Mile Point Caves (35LK1295)
Pre-Clovis (Western Stemmed)·Paisley (Western Stemmed) / Pre-Clovis·🇺🇸 Oregon, Lake County, United States
About
About Paisley Caves
Five basalt-rim lava-tube caves (Paisley 5 Mile Point Caves) in Summer Lake basin, with Cave 2 (Bottle Cave) yielding 14,500-year coprolites with human mtDNA haplogroups A2/B2 and Western Stemmed points directly above. Dennis Jenkins excavated 2002–2010 after Cressman 1938 soundings. Coprolite DNA (Gilbert et al. 2008 Science) provides oldest directly dated human DNA in Americas, 14,300 cal BP, with sagebrush cordage and lithics — proving pre-Clovis Pacific coastal route.
Why it mattersOldest human DNA in Americas (coprolite mtDNA 14,300 BP) — proves pre-Clovis Pacific coastal migration.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Contamination vs genuine ancient mtDNA — replication by multiple labs
- 02Association of coprolite layer with overlying Western Stemmed points
Theories
- 01Paisley as interior Pacific staging post for coastal migration
- 02Sagebrush cordage as earliest fiber technology
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.14,500–9,000 BCE (coprolite horizon)
- Period
- Pre-Clovis (Western Stemmed)
- Culture
- Paisley (Western Stemmed) / Pre-Clovis
- Builders
- Western Stemmed foragers
- Purpose
- Lava-tube seasonal camp with coprolite, hearth and sagebrush weaving
- Abandoned
- c.9,000 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 1938 Luther Cressman; re-excavated 2002–2010 Jenkins (Univ. Oregon)
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.14,500 BCE
Coprolite deposition with human mtDNA A2/B2
c.13,000 BCE
Western Stemmed point occupation above coprolite
2008
Science publication — oldest human DNA in Americas
2014
Extended dating confirms 14,300 cal BP
On the ground
Structures & features
42.7500° N · 120.5500° W · 1360 m · 2 mapped features
Cave 2 coprolite horizon with sagebrush cordage
feature1.5 m coprolite lens with 14,300 BP mtDNA and sagebrush twine
42.7510° N · 120.5490° WWestern Stemmed point level above coprolite
featureWestern Stemmed foliate points and obsidian debitage 20 cm above coprolite
42.7489° N · 120.5508° W
Gallery