Imagine allowing the ground under the Eiffel Tower to get soggy and tip over. Or the Roman Colosseum getting washed out. Or the Great Wall of China end up at the bottom of a river.

That's what's happened in the Mid Columbia.

The most important archeological/historical/cultural site is called the Marmes Rockshelter.

Scientists discovered this cave full of Native American artifacts in 1962 where the Palouse River connects with the Snake River.

But it was accidentally flooded in 1969 because the barrier erected to separate it from the Snake River failed.

We'll never know what treasures and mysteries that cave holds beyond what they discovered over 7 short years.

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