Everyone loves a good legend, and Nevada has a tale of gigantic proportions! The story starts with a lone cave on a mountain in the middle of the desert, and in this cave once lived giants! While some may disagree and call this story hogwash, others are deeply invested and believe that giants once roamed the state. Today, archeologists and scientists from around the world continue to struggle with this mystery. However, read on to decide if the giants of Lovelock Cave in Nevada were real for yourself.
Indigenous people of Nevada have called the Humboldt Sink and surrounding land their home for more than 4,000 years!
google/Frank Engel
According to stories passed down generations of the Paiute tribe, during the early 1900s, guano miners were the first to discover the remains of a giant human race in and near Lovelock Cave, Nevada.
google/Julie T The Paiute tribe has a name for the people who once lived in and around the Lovelock Cave – They called them Si-Te-Cah, or, “tule-eaters”.
Among skeletons and mummified remains, the guano miners also found ancient artifacts. Unfortunately, many were destroyed or disappeared as they were sold.
“Harrington, Mark R.?”, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons However, Lovelock Cave and its surroundings held so many artifacts of the ancient lost tribe that archeologists were still able to locate more than 10,000 priceless pieces throughout the years!
The legend speaks of finding red hair! Not only was the color of the Si-Te-Cah hair unusual given their race and location, but the skeletons themselves added fuel to the mystery. Skeletons well over eight feet tall were discovered, much taller than the average person of the Paiute tribe!
flickr/BLM Nevada A visit to Lovelock Cave will show soot and smoke markings along the ceiling, an incredible indication of the many fires lit inside by the ancient giants.
So, what happened to the red-haired giants of Lovelock Cave? While theories collide between archeologists and locals, Paiute lore tells us that the Si-Te-Cah were a vicious race of giants.
flickr/BLM Nevada
It is theorized that they were cannibals and would set traps to capture and eat local indigenous tribes.
google/Sheldon Fatt The Si-Te-Cah giants perished after being trapped inside the cave and killed.
Incredibly, you can see the famed Lovelock Cave in Nevada for yourself! Simply head out towards the town of Lovelock and travel on the Lovelock Cave Backcountry Byway.
flickr/BLM Nevada It’ll be about a forty-minute drive to the cave. Find a parking area and guided tours! There are well-maintained trails, picnic areas, and restrooms as well.
A great option to learn more about the Lovelock Cave’s fascinating history is by visiting the Humboldt Museum in Winnemucca, Nevada. While many skeletal remains and artifacts have been given back to the tribes of the area out of respect, there is still plenty to see and discover at the museum.
facebook/ Humboldt Museum The Humboldt Museum is home to many Si-Te-Cah replica displays.
Google Maps Customize your route to Lovelock Cave near Lovelock, Nevada.
Today, the debate continues on whether the ancient people who once lived in Lovelock Cave were actually giants. See it for yourself! Visit Lovelock Cave to step into the legend and the mystery of Nevada’s giants.
google/Frank Engel
google/Julie T
The Paiute tribe has a name for the people who once lived in and around the Lovelock Cave – They called them Si-Te-Cah, or, “tule-eaters”.
“Harrington, Mark R.?”, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
However, Lovelock Cave and its surroundings held so many artifacts of the ancient lost tribe that archeologists were still able to locate more than 10,000 priceless pieces throughout the years!
flickr/BLM Nevada
A visit to Lovelock Cave will show soot and smoke markings along the ceiling, an incredible indication of the many fires lit inside by the ancient giants.
google/Sheldon Fatt
The Si-Te-Cah giants perished after being trapped inside the cave and killed.
It’ll be about a forty-minute drive to the cave. Find a parking area and guided tours! There are well-maintained trails, picnic areas, and restrooms as well.
facebook/ Humboldt Museum
The Humboldt Museum is home to many Si-Te-Cah replica displays.
Google Maps
Customize your route to Lovelock Cave near Lovelock, Nevada.
What do you believe? Do you think giants once roamed the area? Tell us your theories below, as well as if you know of any other interesting destinations in Nevada!
There are countless reasons why Nevada is a special place. If you’re interested in exploring more, here are 14 locations that help make Nevada so unique.
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