PICTURE CAVE:

A TWO-CAVE SYSTEM OF NATIVE AMERICAN POLYCHROME PAINTINGS, TOGETHER WITH 43 ACRES OF SURROUNDING LAND
Western Mississippian, present day Missouri, USA, 800-1100 CE

Understood to be an ancient hallowed site for sacred rituals, astronomical studies, oral tradition, vision quests, and described as “the most important rock art site in North America”. The two cave system boasts massive panels of over 290 prehistoric glyphs making it the largest collection of indigenous people’s polychrome paintings in Missouri. Considered to be one the most significant North American archeological sites, Picture Cave’s importance has been described by scholars as rivaling that of Cahokia and Chaco Canyon. The quantity and complexity of the wall images, like the renowned depiction of Red Horn, are unmatched compared to other prehistoric sites. For an extensive library of images and additional information related to Picture Cave, see the work of Professor Michael Fuller and the photography of Alan Cressler.

Real Estate:
Picture Cave’s subterranean system is nestled within 43 acres of undeveloped land in Warrenton, MO. Primarily used as hunting grounds by the landowner family since 1953, the rolling hills are covered by a forested landscape and home to a variety of animal species and a natural spring.

Biology:
Picture Cave is host to a rare indigenous colony of Indiana bats (Myotis sodalis) which are listed as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Several educational institutions and biologists have interest in the study and recovery of the species. To learn more, visit the National Wildlife Foundation.

Literature:
Picture Cave- Unraveling the Mysteries of the Mississippian Cosmos
Authors: Carol Diaz-Granados is Research Associate in the Department of Anthropology at Washington University, where she has taught for over thirty years. She is also Adjunct Professor at Webster University. James R. Duncan is an archaeologist and anthropologist who studies the Osage and Native American ethnography and is former Director of the Missouri State Museum. F. Kent Reilly III is Professor and Director of the Center for the Study of Arts and Symbolism of Ancient America at Texas State University. Foreword by Patti Jo Watson. Photographer: Alan Cressler. Publisher: University of Texas Press; Illustrated edition (June 15, 2015). Hard back copy containing 360 pages | 8.5 x 11 | 269 black & white photos, 35 black & white illustrations, 26 color illustrations, 7 maps, 185 color photo

ESTIMATE: $1,000,000 – $3,000,000 USD

SOLD: $2,200,000 USD

Michael Fuller, Ph.d

Michael Fuller, Ph.d

"Picture Cave is the most intensely studied rock art site in Missouri"

An Academic Review and Discussion

Sophisticated Living Magazine article

Sophisticated Living Magazine article

The Ultimate (Man) Cave Comes to Auction

July/August 2021 Issue

Picture Cave: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Mississippian Cosmos

Picture Cave: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Mississippian Cosmos

(The Linda Schele Series in Maya and Pre-Columbian Studies)

Available on Amazon

Art & Antiques Magazine article

Art & Antiques Magazine article

In Perspective: Into the Cave

Summer 2021 Issue

Fox2Now

Fox2Now

Interview with Bryan Laughlin & Amelia Jeffers on future stewardship of Picture Cave & auction

August 24, 2021

EXPLORE THE LAND WITHIN WHICH PICTURE CAVE EXISTS

Bidding on Picture Cave

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All Prospective Bidders are subject to registration and pre-approval. Pre-approval is required whether bidding in-person, absentee, phone, or online. Please contact us regarding requirements for registration.

This auction is subject to a buyer’s premium in addition to the hammer price. Selkirk charges a 10% buyer’s premium for in-person, absentee and phone bids. For online bids placed on our website or through Invaluable an additional 1% premium will apply; and for online bids placed with Liveauctioneers an additional 2% premium will apply.

Picture Cave is offered subject to prior sale. Prospective Bidders are welcome to submit a pre-auction offer. Pre-auction sale contracts shall be brokered by Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty, St. Louis. Please contact us for more information. Executive Director, Bryan Laughlin, or Realtor and Auctioneer, Amelia Jeffers, at 314.696.9041.