The Mystery Surrounding The Ancient Giants Of Nevada And The Lovelock Cave Giants
There has been a story told about the remains of the Lovelock Cave giants in northern Nevada, for more than 100 years. For many years, their remains have been put on exhibition in museums, but things are changing now, as numerous skeletons once believed to be historical relics found their way back to the tribe’s graveyard.
If oversized bones from the so-called Lovelock giants ever existed, they are no longer available to the public. But their story behind the legend persists. Slicing through the bone-dry Humboldt sink on a long dirt road, it’s hard to believe that it was all once underwater.
The roof of the cave is coated with soot from countless campfires lit by ancestors of the Paiutes. According to tribal lore, a race of red-headed giants made its last stand in the cave. Reporter George Knapp: “Among today’s Paiutes, do most say the giants were real?”
Devoy Munk: “All that I’ve talked to say yes. I’ve haven’t heard anybody say no.” Devoy Munk, a Lovelock historian, has spent all of her 80-plus years in Lovelock. Her family’s home today houses a small museum, jam packed with artifacts and depictions documenting centuries of native culture and pioneer life.
“My Indian friends tell me they were cannibals, that they set traps. They dug holes in pathways where they walked, covered them and then Indians would fall in, and they said the best parts to eat were the thighs,” Munk said. On Internet sites and alien-themed TV shows, the gruesome legend has blossomed, but it’s hardly new. Versions have been told and retold in magazines, even scholarly journals for more than a century.
Famed Nevadan Sarah Winnemucca first wrote in her acclaimed book that the Paiutes waged a three-year war against a tribe of red-headed cannibals before trapping — then killing — the last of them inside lovelock cave.
Her book doesn’t mention giants, and mainstream archeologists have vigorously rejected the entire story. The state museum in Winnemucca admonishes visitors at its front entrance that the red-headed giants are a myth. “There have been skeletons pulled out of the Reid collection,” said Bill Snodgrass. “They found some in there roughly 6’2″. When you think about it, six feet was a very tall individual back then.”
What's inside The lovelock cave giants?
Later scientific excavations found troves of native antiquities along with bones. Some human remains were destroyed. Others went to museums for display. A few, Snodgrass says, were consumed in bizarre initiation rituals. He adds there is evidence — including basketry — of an unknown culture that lived near the cave. Records show some of them had red hair. “I can’t say who they were, red heads or not. Some say uric acid changes the color of hair, but there was definitely different people here,” Snodgrass said.
Many, if not most, of the visitors who end up at the Marzen House Museum have questions about the red-headed cannibals. The locals still enjoy the debate. Reporter George Knapp: “The two of you disagree but it’s a friendly disagreement?” “Oh yes. We’ve had this discussion and he hasn’t convincved me and I haven’t convinced him,” Munk said. Whether the red-headed giants ever existed, visits to the two museums are worth the drive.
If you found this article interesting, don't hesitate to visit our website AUBTU.BIZ to get access to a wide range of updated news.
If oversized bones from the so-called Lovelock giants ever existed, they are no longer available to the public. But their story behind the legend persists. Slicing through the bone-dry Humboldt sink on a long dirt road, it’s hard to believe that it was all once underwater.
Source: Pinterest
The roof of the cave is coated with soot from countless campfires lit by ancestors of the Paiutes. According to tribal lore, a race of red-headed giants made its last stand in the cave. Reporter George Knapp: “Among today’s Paiutes, do most say the giants were real?”
Devoy Munk: “All that I’ve talked to say yes. I’ve haven’t heard anybody say no.” Devoy Munk, a Lovelock historian, has spent all of her 80-plus years in Lovelock. Her family’s home today houses a small museum, jam packed with artifacts and depictions documenting centuries of native culture and pioneer life.
Discover The Lovelock Cave Giants
Source: Pinterest
“My Indian friends tell me they were cannibals, that they set traps. They dug holes in pathways where they walked, covered them and then Indians would fall in, and they said the best parts to eat were the thighs,” Munk said. On Internet sites and alien-themed TV shows, the gruesome legend has blossomed, but it’s hardly new. Versions have been told and retold in magazines, even scholarly journals for more than a century.
Famed Nevadan Sarah Winnemucca first wrote in her acclaimed book that the Paiutes waged a three-year war against a tribe of red-headed cannibals before trapping — then killing — the last of them inside lovelock cave.
Her book doesn’t mention giants, and mainstream archeologists have vigorously rejected the entire story. The state museum in Winnemucca admonishes visitors at its front entrance that the red-headed giants are a myth. “There have been skeletons pulled out of the Reid collection,” said Bill Snodgrass. “They found some in there roughly 6’2″. When you think about it, six feet was a very tall individual back then.”
What's inside The lovelock cave giants?
Source: Pinterest
Later scientific excavations found troves of native antiquities along with bones. Some human remains were destroyed. Others went to museums for display. A few, Snodgrass says, were consumed in bizarre initiation rituals. He adds there is evidence — including basketry — of an unknown culture that lived near the cave. Records show some of them had red hair. “I can’t say who they were, red heads or not. Some say uric acid changes the color of hair, but there was definitely different people here,” Snodgrass said.
Many, if not most, of the visitors who end up at the Marzen House Museum have questions about the red-headed cannibals. The locals still enjoy the debate. Reporter George Knapp: “The two of you disagree but it’s a friendly disagreement?” “Oh yes. We’ve had this discussion and he hasn’t convincved me and I haven’t convinced him,” Munk said. Whether the red-headed giants ever existed, visits to the two museums are worth the drive.
If you found this article interesting, don't hesitate to visit our website AUBTU.BIZ to get access to a wide range of updated news.
Share this article
Advertisement