Wikiup and Bow Tree

[chase2]

I have had the fortune to grow up in an area that still has some historic Native American camp sites that have remained to this day. Yesterday I responded to another thread with questions to trail markers, and said that it was a myth for the most part, however there are a few excetions. Way back 40 years ago an old rancher took me to these sites. He had told me at the time that he can remember his great grandmother telling him as a kid she could see the campfires burning at night from across the valley on there ranch. Here are some of those rare sites. also here is a link to what a wikiup is.Wigwam - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

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[pirateslife]

So the "Bow Tree" that is where they carved wood to make bows?

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[old digger]

Nice to see that those old camp sites are still out there and preserved. Thanks for taking the time and sharing!

I have read that there are some in my area, but they are very difficult to locate. They are up in the mountains, and there is a lot of ground to cover and my legs can take only so much.

Oh, By the way, that cedar in the last photo has to be several hundred years old.

 

[chase2]

Nice to see that those old camp sites are still out there and preserved. Thanks for taking the time and sharing!

I have read that there are some in my area, but they are very difficult to locate. They are up in the mountains, and there is a lot of ground to cover and my legs can take only so much.

Oh, By the way, that cedar in the last photo has to be several hundred years old.

The camp sites are from circa mid 1800's. I would say your right on the cedars, or maybe a little older. They have not changed in the 40 years when I first saw them.

The bow tree had probably five or so bows cut from that spot.

 

[pirateslife]

I have seen the camps up here in Wyoming around the mountains, they are neat. I didn't know about the bow trees, I'll keep my out for them.

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[kuger]

Thank you for posting these!!!I have seen several Bow stave tree's and never got pictures,so I never mentioned any on here.I know where there is a faily large grove of them too....very remote area that was taken to by a Tribal elder who recalled his grandfather getting his staves from there as well....the same place his great grand father had

I might add....having made several bow's myself,it takes a special tree to produce a good stave,right age,ring distance,length,lack of knots etc are all important.Once an area was found to have the right conditions it was passed down through generations

One area I know of in Eastern Calif. had several and the wonderful Gov. went in and cut em all down,last year to make Sage Grouse Habitat....O.K. for them to go in and destroy history,when we cant sneeze without a archi field assessment,plan,study etc...

 

[releventchair]

Thank you for posting these!!!I have seen several Bow stave tree's and never got pictures,so I never mentioned any on here.I know where there is a faily large grove of them too....very remote area that was taken to by a Tribal elder who recalled his grandfather getting his staves from there as well....the same place his great grand father had

I might add....having made several bow's myself,it takes a special tree to produce a good stave,right age,ring distance,length,lack of knots etc are all important.Once an area was found to have the right conditions it was passed down through generations

One area I know of in Eastern Calif. had several and the wonderful Gov. went in and cut em all down,last year to make Sage Grouse Habitat....O.K. for them to go in and destroy history,when we cant sneeze without a archi field assessment,plan,study etc...

Cut extra staves to make up for impatience in cure/age process. For highly skilled(no i,m not in the same world as them)bowyers, knots can be worked with.
Fascinating subject ,pics and info, thanks all.Sure likin that camp of ancients Chase2.

 

[Buckleberry]

Very cool...thanks for sharing.

Is that the bow tree in the same area as the wikiup?

 

[chase2]

Very cool...thanks for sharing.

Is that the bow tree in the same area as the wikiup?

It is in the same area, but in another camp site. Its a little older circa early 1800's, The dating comes from the trade items found.

Thanks all!!