Located within the central portion of the Gold Butte region
in Southern Nevada, the Kohta Circus contains the largest petroglyph panel in
the state. Northeast of Lake Mead, the area is remote, but majestic and multi-colored
sandstone landforms abound. The canyon where the Kohta Circus petroglyphs are
located is non-descript and is easy to miss. It is possible to find, however,
by following the trail leading south of Black Butte. After a couple of miles, continually
scan the right side of the trail for an obvious footpath down the slope into
the side canyon.
Once at the site, there are two distinct petroglyph panels,
with the largest being at ground level on a large outcrop in plain view. Unfortunately,
due to its location, it has been weathered by the elements over the last
millennia, making some of the lower glyphs barely visible. It is roughly 70
feet long and 8 feet high and is packed full of petroglyphs. A variety of animals, hunters, and geometric
symbols are located in thematic "bands” over the length of the rockface. An upper grouping of panels, located 30-40 feet above the
canyon floor, contain petroglyphs that have been well preserved considering
there exposed location. It is difficult to access these panels as they are on
cliff ledges that require special care to climb to.
Over the years, many different people utilized the resources
of Gold Butte, making it difficult to determine who made what rock art. Archaic
hunter-gatherers, followed by the Keyenta Anasazi and the Paiutes after 1500 AD
made the area their home.
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