The Palo Duro Canyon reveals in its depths a history of over 240 million years. (See History of the Canyon.) Many fossils have been discovered at various sites along the canyon, as well as rock art, artifacts and remains from cultures thousands of years past. Sites in the North Palo Duro Canyon that have been identified and documented include, but are not limited to, 41Rd53 and 41Rd54 in the Thomas Ranch Quad. The Smithsonian Institution has also done work in the area. (See Chalk Hollow: Culture Sequence and Chronology in the Texas Panhandle by Waldo R. Wedel.) All of the historic items located along the 175-foot transmission line easements would be in jeopardy of destruction or damage, and items elsewhere in the canyon could be damaged by fire caused by the transmission lines or activities necessary to extinguish fires.
Below are some pictures of various Indian and other artifacts found in and along the canyon.
In addition to the human artifacts, there are some spectacular works of natural art in the canyon. Also below are two rocks that are on the Link AA line path at the canyon rim. They were likely sculpted by forces of nature over the centuries and could easily be destroyed by the site clearing and other activities necessary to construct the huge towers on the rim.
The first rock below, referred to as "Indian Head Rock," is in the shape of an Indian head and looks out over the canyon, as if keeping watch. The other rock, shaped more like an animal, sits about twenty feet behind Indian Head rock.
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