Archaeologists Discover Ancient Weapons in Remote Texas Cave

By Bethanie H

Published

03/29/2025

Big Bend National Park still holds ancient secrets. An excavation team recently discovered an ancient trove of weapons in a remote cave system in the Texas park, and it could be the oldest intact weapon system in North America.

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In an interview with Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine, Bryon Schroeder, director of the Center for Big Bend Studies, said the ancient weapons could end up being a “pretty monumental” find that helps shape our modern understanding of Big Bend’s early humans. Among the weapons discovered in the cave system (the San Esteban Rockshelter) were pieces of a hunting dart system and a “straight-flying boomerang.” Besides weapons, archaeologists also unearthed human feces and a preserved animal hide.

“This discovery offers a rare glimpse into the lives of ancient hunters, revealing tools, weapons, and even a folded pronghorn hide left untouched for thousands of years,” wrote Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine in a Facebook post sharing the discovery.

Learn more about the ancient weapons unearthed in a Texas cave here:

Header image courtesy of Center of Big Bend Studies via Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine’s Facebook post.