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{{Short description|Archæological and paleontological site in New Mexico, United States}}
{{Cleanup|date=March 2008}}
'''''Shelter Cave''''' is an archaeological and paleontological site located in [[Doña Ana County]], [[New Mexico]].
'''''Shelter Cave''''' is an archaeological and paleontological site located in [[Doña Ana County, New Mexico|Doña Ana County]], [[New Mexico]].


==Description==
==Description==


The site is a [[rock shelter]] well up on the western side of [[Bishop's Cap]], an outlier of the [[Organ Mountains]]. It lies about 450 ft below the summit according to Brattstrom (1964); this would make its elevation about 1500 m. It was originally excavated by the [[Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County|Los Angeles County Museum]] (LACM) ca. 1929 (LACMVP site number 1010). Specimens collected from [[scree|talus]], fill, or other areas are labeled 1010 Dump or 1010D. Specimens collected by Conkling are labeled C 1010. The [[cave]] was excavated in 5-foot sections.
The site is a [[rock shelter]] well up on the western side of [[Bishop's Cap]], an outlier of the [[Organ Mountains]], within the [[Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument]] in [[New Mexico]], [[United States]]. It lies about 450 ft below the summit according to Brattstrom (1964); this would make its elevation about {{convert|1500|m|ft|-3}}. It was originally excavated by the [[Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County|Los Angeles County Museum]] (LACM) c. 1929 (LACMVP site number 1010). Specimens collected from [[scree|talus]], fill, or other areas are labeled 1010 Dump or 1010D. Specimens collected by Conkling are labeled C 1010. The shelter was excavated in 5-foot sections.


Brattstrom (1964) had access to the original field notes. Two profiles were given. One in Sec. S-5-7, from bottom to top: rock bottom of cave, 5" angular fragments, 8" smooth concretionary [[limestone]] fragments mixed with brown dust, 6" of ash mixed with angular fragments, 10" of layered gray (volcanic?) ash grading into a layer of brown, 4" of hard burned [[guano]], 4" of unconsolidated [[bat]] guano, top. Most bones were found in brown and gray ash. Another section 53" thick, from bottom up: floor of cave, 17" of broken concretionary limestone fragments, 16" of brown [[wood ash|ash]], 12" of gray layered ash grading into the brown below it, 8" of bat guano, top.
Brattstrom (1964) had access to the original field notes. Two profiles were given. One in Sec. S-5-7, from bottom to top: rock bottom of the shelter, 5" angular fragments, 8" smooth concretionary [[limestone]] fragments mixed with brown dust, 6" of ash mixed with angular fragments, 10" of layered gray (volcanic?) ash grading into a layer of brown, 4" of hard burned [[guano]], 4" of unconsolidated [[bat]] guano, top. Most bones were found in brown and gray ash. Another section 53" thick, from bottom up: floor of the shelter, 17" of broken concretionary limestone fragments, 16" of brown [[wood ash|ash]], 12" of gray layered ash grading into the brown below it, 8" of bat guano, top.


Brattstrom (1964:95) gives several quotes from the original field notes: ''[[Sloth]] in place, S-5-4 in upper guano layer and in direct association with bits of knots of vegetative material. S-6-5, sloth bone in upper yellow layer. [[Mummified]] rat and snake on top of rocks in bat guano. S-5-6, S-5-5, horse jaws in brown ash. S-5-6, sloth skull fragment in gray ash below overhanging rock. In same section above rock was an Indian grindstone. S-4-7, beads and [[sandal]] found beneath guano layer and also below overhanging rock. S-4-9, [[badger]] and [[deer]] skulls in gray ash.''
Brattstrom (1964:95) gives several quotes from the original field notes: ''[[Sloth]] in place, S-5-4 in upper guano layer and in direct association with bits of knots of vegetative material. S-6-5, sloth bone in upper yellow layer. [[Mummified]] rat and snake on top of rocks in bat guano. S-5-6, S-5-5, horse jaws in brown ash. S-5-6, sloth skull fragment in gray ash below overhanging rock. In same section above rock was an [[metate|Indian grindstone]]. S-4-7, beads and [[sandal]] found beneath guano layer and also below overhanging rock. S-4-9, [[badger]] and [[deer]] skulls in gray ash.''


==Age==
==Age==
[[Rancholabrean]] (late [[Pleistocene]]) and [[Holocene]]. One date on sloth [[Feces|dung]] (Van Devender and Spaulding 1979) of 11,330 ± 370 [[Before Present|BP]] (Before Present). Material has continued to accumulate up to the present. Thompson et al. (1980) list three dates for sloth dung, including that above; the others are 12,330 ± 190 and 12,430 ± 250. They also list dates on [[Desert Tortoise]] (''Gopherus agassizii'') [[scute]]s and bone (11,280 to 12,520) and dates for [[midden]]s of [[packrat]]s in the cave (11,850 to 31,250).
[[Rancholabrean]] (late [[Pleistocene]]) and [[Holocene]]. One date on sloth [[Feces|dung]] (Van Devender and Spaulding 1979) of 11,330 ± 370 [[Before Present|BP]] (Before Present). Material has continued to accumulate up to the present. Thompson et al. (1980) list three dates for sloth dung, including that above; the others are 12,330 ± 190 and 12,430 ± 250. They also list dates on [[desert tortoise]] (''Gopherus agassizii'') [[scute]]s and bone (11,280 to 12,520) and dates for [[midden]]s of [[packrat]]s in the shelter (11,850 to 31,250).


==Comments==
==Comments==
Fosberg (1936) lists plants identified from Shelter Cave deposits, but without provenance data; they likely are Holocene. He also mentions that there are [[coprolite]]s of either sloth or horse. Thompson et al. (1980) point out that vegetation from pre-full-glacial middens from the shelter are more mesic than the terminal Pleistocene ones that lack oak, and [[pinyon pine]] is rare).
Fosberg (1936) lists plants identified from Shelter Cave deposits, but without provenance data; they likely are Holocene. He also mentions that there are [[coprolite]]s of either sloth or horse. Thompson et al. (1980) point out that vegetation from pre-full-glacial middens from the shelter are more mesic than the terminal Pleistocene ones that lack oak, and [[pinyon pine]] is rare.


This is the type locality of ''[[Antilocapridae|Stockoceros conklingi]]'' (Conkling's [[Pronghorn]]).
This is the type locality of ''[[Stockoceros]] conklingi'' (Conkling's [[pronghorn]]).


The [[fauna]]l list includes one or more citations for each [[taxon]]. [[UTEP]] indicates specimens are deposited in the Resource Collections of the [[Laboratory for Environmental Biology]], [[Centennial Museum]], [[University of Texas at El Paso]].
The [[fauna]]l list includes one or more citations for each [[taxon]]. [[UTEP]] indicates specimens are deposited in the Resource Collections of the [[Laboratory for Environmental Biology]], [[Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens]], [[University of Texas at El Paso]].


The Los Angeles County Museum has a large collection from Shelter Cave, including the type of ''Stockoceros conklingi''. Most of the material has yet to be studied.
The Los Angeles County Museum has a large collection from Shelter Cave, including the type of ''Stockoceros conklingi''. Most of the material has yet to be studied.
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* ''[[Masticophis flagellum]]'' Brattstrom 1964
* ''[[Masticophis flagellum]]'' Brattstrom 1964
* ''[[Lampropeltis|Lampropeltis getula]]'' Brattstrom 1964
* ''[[Lampropeltis|Lampropeltis getula]]'' Brattstrom 1964
* ''[[Gopher Snake|Pituophis melanoleucus]]'' Brattstrom 1964
* ''[[gopher snake|Pituophis melanoleucus]]'' Brattstrom 1964
* ''[[Elaphe subocularis]]'' Brattstrom 1964
* ''[[Elaphe subocularis]]'' Brattstrom 1964
* ''[[Trimorphodon biscutatus]]'' UTEP
* ''[[Trimorphodon biscutatus]]'' UTEP
Line 53: Line 53:
* ''[[Buteogallus|Buteogallus fragilis]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
* ''[[Buteogallus|Buteogallus fragilis]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
* ''[[Aquila chrysaetos]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
* ''[[Aquila chrysaetos]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
* ''[[Caracara|Polyborus plancus prelutosus]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
* ''[[Crested Caracara#Taxonomy|Polyborus plancus prelutosus]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
* ''[[Falco peregrinus]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
* ''[[Falco peregrinus]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
* ''[[Falco sparverius]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
* ''[[Falco sparverius]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
Line 79: Line 79:
* ''[[Eremophila alpestris]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
* ''[[Eremophila alpestris]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
* ''[[Pica pica]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
* ''[[Pica pica]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
* ''[[Corvus corax]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
* ''[[Common raven|Corvus corax]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
* ''[[Pinyon Jay|Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
* ''[[pinyon jay|Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
* ''[[Catherpes mexicanus]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
* ''[[Catherpes mexicanus]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
* ''[[Salpinctes obsoletus]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
* ''[[Salpinctes obsoletus]]'' Howard and Miller 1933
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MAMMALIA
MAMMALIA
* ''[[Notiosorex crawfordi]]'' Harris 1985
* ''[[Notiosorex crawfordi]]'' Harris 1985
* ''[[Ground Sloth|Nothrotheriops shastensis]]'' Harris 1985
* ''[[ground sloth|Nothrotheriops shastensis]]'' Harris 1985
* ''[[Lepus californicus]]'' UTEP
* ''[[Lepus californicus]]'' UTEP
* ? [[Geomyidae]] Harris 1985
* ? [[Geomyidae]] Harris 1985
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==References==
==References==
*Brattstrom, B. H. 1964. Amphibians and reptiles from cave deposits in south-central New Mexico. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Science 63:93-103.
*Brattstrom, B. H. 1964. Amphibians and reptiles from cave deposits in south-central New Mexico. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences 63:93-103.
*Fosberg, F. R. 1936. Plant remains in Shelter Cave, New Mexico. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Science 35:154-155.
*Fosberg, F. R. 1936. Plant remains in Shelter Cave, New Mexico. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences 35:154-155.
*Harris, A. H. 1977. Wisconsin age environments in the northern Chihuahuan Desert: Evidence from the higher vertebrates. pp. 23–52, ''in'' Transactions of the symposium on the biological resources of the Chihuahuan Desert region, United States and Mexico (R. H. Wauer and D. H. Riskind, eds.), Natl. Park Serv. Trans. Proceedings Series 3:1-658.
*Harris, A. H. 1977. Wisconsin age environments in the northern Chihuahuan Desert: Evidence from the higher vertebrates. pp. 23–52, ''in'' Transactions of the symposium on the biological resources of the Chihuahuan Desert region, United States and Mexico (R. H. Wauer and D. H. Riskind, eds.), Natl. Park Serv. Trans. Proceedings Series 3:1-658.
*Harris, A. H. 1985. Late Pleistocene vertebrate paleoecology of the West. University of Texas Press, Austin, 293 pp.
*Harris, A. H. 1985. Late Pleistocene vertebrate paleoecology of the West. University of Texas Press, Austin, 293 pp.
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[[Category:Caves of New Mexico]]
[[Category:Caves of New Mexico]]
[[Category:Landforms of Doña Ana County, New Mexico]]
[[Category:Landforms of Doña Ana County, New Mexico]]
[[Category:Rock shelters in the United States]]
[[Category:Organ Mountains–Desert Peaks National Monument]]

Latest revision as of 20:35, 24 November 2024

Shelter Cave is an archaeological and paleontological site located in Doña Ana County, New Mexico.

Description

[edit]

The site is a rock shelter well up on the western side of Bishop's Cap, an outlier of the Organ Mountains, within the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument in New Mexico, United States. It lies about 450 ft below the summit according to Brattstrom (1964); this would make its elevation about 1,500 metres (5,000 ft). It was originally excavated by the Los Angeles County Museum (LACM) c. 1929 (LACMVP site number 1010). Specimens collected from talus, fill, or other areas are labeled 1010 Dump or 1010D. Specimens collected by Conkling are labeled C 1010. The shelter was excavated in 5-foot sections.

Brattstrom (1964) had access to the original field notes. Two profiles were given. One in Sec. S-5-7, from bottom to top: rock bottom of the shelter, 5" angular fragments, 8" smooth concretionary limestone fragments mixed with brown dust, 6" of ash mixed with angular fragments, 10" of layered gray (volcanic?) ash grading into a layer of brown, 4" of hard burned guano, 4" of unconsolidated bat guano, top. Most bones were found in brown and gray ash. Another section 53" thick, from bottom up: floor of the shelter, 17" of broken concretionary limestone fragments, 16" of brown ash, 12" of gray layered ash grading into the brown below it, 8" of bat guano, top.

Brattstrom (1964:95) gives several quotes from the original field notes: Sloth in place, S-5-4 in upper guano layer and in direct association with bits of knots of vegetative material. S-6-5, sloth bone in upper yellow layer. Mummified rat and snake on top of rocks in bat guano. S-5-6, S-5-5, horse jaws in brown ash. S-5-6, sloth skull fragment in gray ash below overhanging rock. In same section above rock was an Indian grindstone. S-4-7, beads and sandal found beneath guano layer and also below overhanging rock. S-4-9, badger and deer skulls in gray ash.

Age

[edit]

Rancholabrean (late Pleistocene) and Holocene. One date on sloth dung (Van Devender and Spaulding 1979) of 11,330 ± 370 BP (Before Present). Material has continued to accumulate up to the present. Thompson et al. (1980) list three dates for sloth dung, including that above; the others are 12,330 ± 190 and 12,430 ± 250. They also list dates on desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) scutes and bone (11,280 to 12,520) and dates for middens of packrats in the shelter (11,850 to 31,250).

Comments

[edit]

Fosberg (1936) lists plants identified from Shelter Cave deposits, but without provenance data; they likely are Holocene. He also mentions that there are coprolites of either sloth or horse. Thompson et al. (1980) point out that vegetation from pre-full-glacial middens from the shelter are more mesic than the terminal Pleistocene ones that lack oak, and pinyon pine is rare.

This is the type locality of Stockoceros conklingi (Conkling's pronghorn).

The faunal list includes one or more citations for each taxon. UTEP indicates specimens are deposited in the Resource Collections of the Laboratory for Environmental Biology, Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, University of Texas at El Paso.

The Los Angeles County Museum has a large collection from Shelter Cave, including the type of Stockoceros conklingi. Most of the material has yet to be studied.

Fauna

[edit]

AMPHIBIA

REPTILIA

AVES

MAMMALIA

References

[edit]
  • Brattstrom, B. H. 1964. Amphibians and reptiles from cave deposits in south-central New Mexico. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences 63:93-103.
  • Fosberg, F. R. 1936. Plant remains in Shelter Cave, New Mexico. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences 35:154-155.
  • Harris, A. H. 1977. Wisconsin age environments in the northern Chihuahuan Desert: Evidence from the higher vertebrates. pp. 23–52, in Transactions of the symposium on the biological resources of the Chihuahuan Desert region, United States and Mexico (R. H. Wauer and D. H. Riskind, eds.), Natl. Park Serv. Trans. Proceedings Series 3:1-658.
  • Harris, A. H. 1985. Late Pleistocene vertebrate paleoecology of the West. University of Texas Press, Austin, 293 pp.
  • Harris, A. H., and C. R. Crews. 1983. Conkling's roadrunner—a subspecies of the California roadrunner? Southwestern Naturalist 28:407-412.
  • Howard, H. 1971. Quaternary avian remains from Dark Canyon Cave, New Mexico. Condor, 73:237-240.
  • Howard, H., and A. H. Miller. 1933. Bird remains from cave deposits in New Mexico. Condor 35:15-18.
  • Rea, A. M. 1980. Late Pleistocene and Holocene turkeys in the Southwest. Contributions in Science, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 330:209-224.
  • Smartt, R. A. 1977. The ecology of Late Pleistocene and Recent Microtus from south-central and southwestern New Mexico. Southwestern Naturalist 22:1-19.
  • Stock, C. 1930. Quaternary antelope remains from a second cave deposit in the Organ Mountains, New Mexico. Los Angeles Museum, Science series, Paleontology 2:1-18.
  • Stock, C. 1932. A further study of the Quaternary antelopes of Shelter Cave, New Mexico. Los Angeles Museum, Science series, Paleontology 3:1-45, 3 pls.
  • Thompson, R. S., T. R. Van Devender, P. S. Martin, T. Foppe, and A. Long. 1980. Shasta ground sloth (Nothrotheriops shastense Hoffstetter) at Shelter Cave, New Mexico: Environment, diet, and extinction. Quaternary Research 14:360-376.

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