Ozark bluff shelters are widely recognized as an archeological resource of great importance. With their combination of rarely preserved perishables and deeply stratified deposits, they are an unparalleled source of information about textile arts, plant domestication, and chronology in the midcontinent. Unfortunately, these sites are increasingly endangered by looting, and potential knowledge about the past is being destroyed. Learn more about these amazing Arkansas resources and the information they hold.

Bluff Shelter Basics

What Are Bluff Shelters? Bluff shelters, also called rock shelters, are rock overhangs that were used by peoples in prehistoric and historic times. Because of the geology of the region, the Arkansas Ozarks is home to both bluff shelters and caves—both of which were used by past peoples. The interbedded sedimentary rock strata and the…

Myths and Misconceptions

There are many myths, stories, and misunderstandings surrounding Ozark bluff shelters. These interesting and unusual geologic features have attracted people’s attention for literally thousands of years, so it’s natural that stories surrounding these locations exist. While a good story can be fun, even if it isn’t true, there are consequences to these myths because they…

Credits

The Bluff Shelters of the Arkansas Ozarks project is made possible by a grant from the Arkansas Natural & Cultural Resources Council. This publicly-oriented website is only one component of the grant which also funded the scanning of critical 1930s field records from the Ozark bluff shelters and linking them to the University of Arkansas…