ST. LOUIS— Nestled in the woods of rural Warren County is a cave with Native American artwork dating back more than a 1,000 years. Now, the Picture Cave has landed on the 2022 list of “America’s Most Endangered Historic Sites.”
Tribal leaders from the Osage Nation hope the designation will increase its awareness as a sacred burial place and a link to the lifeways of Osage ancestors, but also to encourage its new owner to protect and respect the site.
“It was traumatic to see, to be watching that auction and see the sacred site being purchased by some unknown buyer,” said Sarah O’Donnell, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Coordinator for the Osage Nation Historic Preservation Office.
The cave and the 43 acres it sits on sold at auction for $2.2 million last September. O’Donnell says tribal leaders from the Osage Nation took part in the auction but were outbid.
“This is a consecrated place for the Osage Nation. It is really such an important part of the Osage Nation’s cultural identity, sense of self, and future wellbeing,” explained O’Donnell.
Now, tribal leaders are concerned about the current and future status of Picture Cave. O’Donnell says attempts to contact the new owner have been unsuccessful.
“If we don't understand their intentions for picture cave, then they may have plans to modify the site, they may have plans to remove panels of the rock art and sell them, sincerely, we have no idea what their intentions are, we don't know what they want to do with this incredibly sacred significant place,” said O’Donnell.
The property is listed under an LLC according to the Warren County Assessor’s site. A Nashville law firm is listed as a mailing address. Spectrum News has reached out to the firm for comment but has not received a response.
Tribal leaders hope this encourages the new owner to start a dialogue and become a partner in the cave's preservation.
“When the Osage Nation has not been able to be in full control of their sacred sites, it is a very, very difficult thing to deal with constantly,” said O’Donnell.
There are other sacred sites with extreme significance to the Osage Nation across Missouri. O’Donnell explained tribal leaders can try to preserve and protect some sites through existing state and federal laws, but when these sacred sites fall within the boundaries of private property, the Osage Nation is limited in what it can do.
“We are just trying to shine a light on places that are facing threats and the people to whom they are so meaningful and are fighting so hard for them, said Katherine Malone-France, Chief Preservation Officer with the National Historic Trust, the group behind the “Most Endangered List”.
Picture Cave is one of 11 sites on this year’s list. You can see the entire list here.
