Missouri Cave With Ancient Native American Drawings Sold

Missouri Cave With Ancient Native American Drawings Sold
Missouri cave featuring artwork from the Osage Nation dating more than 1,000 years was sold at auction on Tuesday, on Sept. 14, 2021. Alan Cressler/ via AP
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O'FALLON, Mo.—A Missouri cave containing Native American artwork from more than 1,000 years ago was sold at auction Tuesday, disappointing leaders of the Osage Nation who hoped to buy the land to “protect and preserve our most sacred site.”

A bidder agreed to pay $2.2 million to private owners for what’s known as “Picture Cave,” along with the 43 hilly acres that surround it near the town of Warrenton, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) west of St. Louis.