Archaeologists are looking into rumours of a long-lost race of enormous humans that lived in southwestern US caves and reached heights of up to ten feet.
Since 1912, giant handprints, 15-inch sandals, and enormous human skulls have been discovered during cave excavations in Lovelock, Nevada. These discoveries have piqued the interest of both the public and experts for over a century.
Native Americans narrated tales about a vicious tribe of pale-skinned, red-haired invaders who fought the native tribes before being imprisoned in a cave and eventually wiped out. These tales became known as the "Giants of Lovelock."
It all began in 1911 when two miners made the amazing discovery of the massive remains.
They were looking for guano, which is bat or bird dung and has long been used as a valuable fertiliser and component of gunpowder.
However, these prospectors discovered more than they had anticipated when they delved far into the guano: over 60 human remains.
Furthermore, it was said that a few of them measured between seven and eight feet in height.
According to the 1935 biography of John T. Reid, a mining engineer who worked in Lovelock, "one of his great finds was a skeleton, found about twenty miles southerly of Lovelock, Nevada, showing that the body of which it was a framework, was exactly seven feet, seven inches tall."
"This individual is among the 'giant men' belonging to an ancient race whose skeletons were discovered in Central Nevada."
Although thousands of artefacts were discovered during the cave's excavation in 1912 and 1924, there is no proof of this discovery.
Numerous of these discoveries were expected: ceremonial artefacts carved into animal shapes, baskets, duck calls, and arrowheads.
"This individual is among the 'giant men' belonging to an ancient race whose skeletons were discovered in Central Nevada."
Although thousands of artefacts were discovered during the cave's excavation in 1912 and 1924, there is no proof of this discovery.
Numerous of these discoveries were expected: ceremonial artefacts carved into animal shapes, baskets, duck calls, and arrowheads.
However, some incredibly strange discoveries were also made, such as enormous sandals that seemed to have been worn.
These shoes are approximately 15 inches long, which corresponds to a US size 29 shoe.
Subsequent radiocarbon dating revealed that plant debris and human bones in the cave originated between 2030 BC and 1218 BC.
An further peculiar discovery was a handprint that seemed to be double the size of a typical human hand, as if it had been inscribed in the stone.
The giants' size appeared to increase according to reports from these digs; by 1931, they were supposedly between 8.5 and 10 feet tall.
Interestingly, a few of them had red hair, which set them apart from the Paiute Native Americans who lived nearby.
These shoes are approximately 15 inches long, which corresponds to a US size 29 shoe.
Subsequent radiocarbon dating revealed that plant debris and human bones in the cave originated between 2030 BC and 1218 BC.
An further peculiar discovery was a handprint that seemed to be double the size of a typical human hand, as if it had been inscribed in the stone.
The giants' size appeared to increase according to reports from these digs; by 1931, they were supposedly between 8.5 and 10 feet tall.
Interestingly, a few of them had red hair, which set them apart from the Paiute Native Americans who lived nearby.
The oral tradition may provide some hints, even though their existence may remain a mystery.
Stories about a barbarian horde known as the Si-Te-Cah, who are said to have arrived in the region 3,000 years ago, are told by local Paiute tribes.
Then, according to Paiute folklore, the Si-Te-Cah, who also had red hair, started to wage war on them and their neighbours.
Narratives attributed to Pedro Cieza de León, a Spanish conquistador from the 16th century, appeared to support the notion of a formidable and enigmatic band of red-haired barbarians.
Stories about a barbarian horde known as the Si-Te-Cah, who are said to have arrived in the region 3,000 years ago, are told by local Paiute tribes.
Then, according to Paiute folklore, the Si-Te-Cah, who also had red hair, started to wage war on them and their neighbours.
Narratives attributed to Pedro Cieza de León, a Spanish conquistador from the 16th century, appeared to support the notion of a formidable and enigmatic band of red-haired barbarians.
The native Peruvians who travelled across Lake Titicaca in woven-reed boats would have agreed with this account.
The Paiute mythology states that the tribes finally united to combat the Si-Te-Cah.
After pursuing them into the cave, they shot them numerous arrows and set a fire at the entrance.
The Paiute mythology states that the tribes finally united to combat the Si-Te-Cah.
After pursuing them into the cave, they shot them numerous arrows and set a fire at the entrance.
A combination of fire, arrows, and smoke asphyxia claimed the lives of some of the invaders.
There were rumours that all of the Si-Te-Cah were killed in that skirmish.
Furthermore, there is proof from archaeology that the cave's entrance once saw a massive fire.
However, some historians interpret the data differently.
Firstly, a University of Nevada investigation indicates that the 'giant' remains may have merely been tall individuals; they were only approximately six feet tall, not eight or ten.
There were rumours that all of the Si-Te-Cah were killed in that skirmish.
Furthermore, there is proof from archaeology that the cave's entrance once saw a massive fire.
However, some historians interpret the data differently.
Firstly, a University of Nevada investigation indicates that the 'giant' remains may have merely been tall individuals; they were only approximately six feet tall, not eight or ten.
While giants are mentioned, barbarians are also mentioned in Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins' historical book Life Among the Paiutes: Their Wrongs and Claims.
Historians have also noted that ageing in arid, desert environments can cause dark hair to turn red, which may help to explain the red-haired remains.
Furthermore, local business owners might have merely inflated the scale of the human remains to boost tourism in the area, according to historian Adrienne Mayor in her book Fossil Legends of the First Americans.
Many of the artefacts discovered in Lovelock Cave are currently on display in the history museum in Winnemucca, Nevada.
In 2014, a crowdfunding campaign to explore the caves further only raised $10.
Historians have also noted that ageing in arid, desert environments can cause dark hair to turn red, which may help to explain the red-haired remains.
Furthermore, local business owners might have merely inflated the scale of the human remains to boost tourism in the area, according to historian Adrienne Mayor in her book Fossil Legends of the First Americans.
Many of the artefacts discovered in Lovelock Cave are currently on display in the history museum in Winnemucca, Nevada.
In 2014, a crowdfunding campaign to explore the caves further only raised $10.
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