10,000 years ago, there were permanent villages along the Columbia River, near the best fishing sites. The river rocks that lined the shores were perfect for making stone tools, and ceremonial objects essential to our way of life. Different size sculpted animal heads were found in the Long Narrows area, near the Dalles and Celilo Falls. The shape of the head is characteristically long and narrow. Found at an ancient village site, this animal head shows the classic style of the deeply carved brow with bulging eyes, a wide nose and a grinning mouth. It is the only known example to have indications of hands. Some of the stone sculptures were painted with red ochre, suggesting ceremonial use. All were created with stone tools, by a hammering and pecking process which came before a grinding of the design.

This near life size sculpture was found at a village site on Savies Island, home to the Chinook people. It was made long before outside contact. The skeletal rib structure is the most recognizable design element of the Columbia River art tradition. Parallel and zigzag lines, and chevrons are also characteristic. Here we see parallel lines above the head, indicating a hat. Sturgeon were known to live in the deep pools of the river. Some lived as long as a century and grew to over 1000 pounds. Probably used as a pendant, this steotite??? carving is symbolic of long life. Pestles over 20 inches long are called salmon packers. Some believed they were used to pack dried salmon in storage bags. A snake winds along two sides of this 29 inch salmon packer. Here we see the face of "She who watches", looking out from both sides of the handle of an ancient whalebone club. These early sculptures are some of the true treasure of North American Native art. Powerfully expressive, they show a mastery of technique, as well as a deep understanding of form.

Vivian Harrison StuYat: When using animal parts for food or decoration, artists felt that they added to the original beauty of the animals, as well as to themselves.

Stone was only one of the materials used for carving. This comb bridge was carved from bone. Notice the rythmic, geometric design element so often seen in carving from the area. The detail and beauty of design shows the skill of a master carver. Made from elk antler, this carving is from Savies Island, home to the Chinook people. It gives us a look back at an intimate moment in everyday life. A mother goes about her chores with her baby on her back. We see prominent ribs, circles and dots for knees and navel, and rythmic lines. Mountain sheep still graze on the steep slopes overlooking the Dalles area. Artists use the curve of the horn to create bowls and spoons. After boiling, the horn becomes soft and pliable. The artist then shapes and carves the horn. A skeletal man decorates the base. A band of incised triangles encircles the rim, typical of Columbia River design. Here we see an interesting variation: each of the decorative figures is holding a baby.

Wood was the most common material used for carving. Unfortunately, wood deteriorates rapidly in wet climates, so it is rare to find wood sculpture. Bowls, spoons, house poles and canoes were often elaborately carved. These two house decorations were found at a village site, near Beacon Rock. The wood was treated and preserved in a cedar closet. Notice the exposed rib design and the protruding eyes, surrounded by orbital rings.

There are hundreds of painted pictographs, and carved petroglyphs along the rock walls throughout the plateau. Stick figure humans, animal forms, raid arcs and circles, tally marks, abstract spirit beings and geometric forms make up the rock art tradition. The petroglyphs are mostly found on basalt, a dense volcanic stone with a dark outer surface which when carved contrasts well with the lighter inner stone. "Tsagaglalal", or "She who watches", lives on a rock wall overlooking the Columbia River. Legend tells us she is a guradian spirit, Coyote turned into stone to watch over her people. She lives near the Dalles, which was at the site of the oldest and largest village on the River. Today, most of the rock art in the area is under water, caused by the damming of the Columbia River.

The Lewis and Clark expedition were the first non-natives to travel through the Columbia River Valley. When they passed by Savies Island in 1805, they witnessed many people living well in villages along the River. But, just 30 years later, the Indian population had completely died out on the island, the result of introduced diseases. Only the exquisite artifacts remain, giving us a unique look into the culture of the lower river people, and proof of their remarkable art tradition. Although some people further up the river survived the epidemics, the meaning of their art forms is lost. What is known, is that Tsagaglalal, the ancient chief that Coyote turned into stone, still watches over her people.