History and MysteryNative AmericanSierra Nevada

Donner Pass Petroglyphs: remnants of the mysterious Martis people

(Last Updated On: November 19, 2022)

Prior to covered wagons, the Donner Party, the Gold Rush and the railroad, Donner Pass was home to an ancient Native American tribe referred to as the Martis Tribe (Martis People or Martis Complex). It’s believed that this tribe lived throughout Northern California and the Sierras from 2000 BC to 500 AD.

As of now, it remains unclear as to why they initially migrated to the region and where they went after leaving the area. Fortunately for us who enjoy Native American history and/or ancient rock carvings, this tribe left us some fascinating petroglyphs that can be found in the same area as China Wall and the abandoned Donner Train Tunnels at Donner Pass.

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Who were the Martis People?

Near the time that the Martis arrived on scene, the climate and environment were primed and ready for a tribe to live a sustainable life. The water sources of lakes and rivers were flowing, the climate had predictable seasons and there was plenty of food from seeds to animals.

The Martis took advantage of the region’s bounties as they were both known for their hunting and seed gathering. Some of the animals they hunted were mountain sheep, deer, elk and bison. Acorns were also a main source of food for the Martis.

The Martis became very adept to the change in seasons, including the volatile winters. In the summer time, they would head to higher elevations and in the winter time they would head down to the foothills. Numerous Martis sites have been discovered on both sides of the Sierras and in the foothills.

The heavy usage of basalt, and little usage of obsidian, are prominent characteristics of the tribe as well. The Sierras have little to no sources for obsidian, which is lighter and great for tools and arrowheads.

According to DSHS.org, the Martis people are well known for their usage of manos (smooth oval rocks to grind seeds) and metates (large grinding sticks). You will also find many grinding holes throughout the Donner Pass area, which are mainly used for grinding seeds into flour.

Where did the Martis go?

Most scholars believe that the tribe left the Northern Sierra region around 500 AD. However, the majority of these sources have no idea where the tribe migrated to.

Willis Gortner, perhaps the leading authority on the Martis people, speculated that the tribe migrated south to Yosemite as there are some archaeological and anthropological findings suggesting similarities.

Gortner’s book “Martis Indians: Ancient Tribe of the Sierra Nevada,” is arguably the most thorough study of the Martis people to date.

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Descendants of The Martis People

Around the time of the Martis’ departure from this region, the Kings Beach Complex emerged near Lake Tahoe and the norther portion of the Sierras.

Scholars have found overlapping between the Martis Complex and the Kings Beach Complex, which has led some to believe that the Martis could be related to the Washoe people who were descendants of the Kings Beach Complex.

However, other scholars debate this theory and state that the Martis have more similarities to the Maidu people and believe they could be the descendants.

Unfortunately, we may never learn if there are any direct descendants to the Martis people; thus adding to the mystery of this tribe.

The Donner Pass Petroglyphs

There have been numerous in-depth studies on the ancient rock carvings found in this region. In the late-90’s, The California Department of Forestry authored an exhaustive paper titled “The Association of Style 7 rock art and the Martis Complex in the Northern Sierra Nevada of California,” that thoroughly examined the petroglyphs and the majority of archaeological research available at that time.

In the paper, the CDF recognized that most scholars and leading authorities accepted L. Payen’s 1966 categorizations of rock art styles in Northern Sierra Nevada.

According to Payen, there are two major rock art groupings: Pit Groove and Abstract-Representational,  with each grouping divided up into multiple styles.

The Pit Groove grouping is divided into three styles: Pitted Boulders (style 1), Pit and Groove (style 2) and Complex Pit and Groove (style 3).

The Abstract-Representational grouping is divided into four styles: Simple Abstract Monochrome (style 4), Abstract Polychrome (style 5), Valley-Sierran Abstract (style 6) and High Sierra Abstract-Representational (style 7).

The Petroglyphs found at Donner Pass are categorized under the Abstract-Representational grouping, specifically Style 7 – High Sierra Abstract Representational.

Style 7 is defined as: Distinctive petroglyph panels on bedrock surfaces in the higher elevations of the northern Sierra Nevada. Style 7 rock art panels are more complex and contain a greater variety of design elements than any other prehistoric rock art style in the northern Sierra Nevada region, and although considerable variation exists in design elements, there is also an underlying rigidity. Common designs include concentric circles, simple circles elaborated by line elements, wavy lines of varying complexity, tracks, and anthropomorphic-zoomorphic representations.

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Style 7 Attributes

Style 7 is considered the most complex form of rock art in this region and there are currently 92 identified Style 7 petroglyph sites, including Donner Pass. The fact that there are so many Style 7 petroglyph sites and that they’re the most complex, only adds to the overall mystery of the Martis people.

These Style 7 petroglyphs are believed to be formed by pecking on large bedrock expanses. In this region, granite was the preferred choice and the rock art was carved by a tool called a hammerstone.

It remains a complete mystery as to what these petroglyphs mean. There are nearly two dozen symbols found at the Donner Pass Petroglyphs site and, although they are near other findings like mortars, there’s no clue as to what the connection is between all of the Donner Pass findings.

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How to get to the Petroglyphs

A monument has been erected at the site of the petroglyphs. On this monument is a plaque that provides valuable details about this site and depictions of the symbols, which makes it easier to find the carvings now that you know what to look for.

There are many symbols carved all around the monument on the granite bedrocks. Some of the symbols are more faded than others.

Donner Summit Petroglyphs marker
Donner Summit Petroglyphs marker

Getting to the petroglyphs is rather easy. Park at the China Wall marker parking area (directions for this parking area are below), walk west a few hundred yards (along Donner Pass Rd.) and look for the dirt path that heads toward the train tunnels above.

Roughly 100 hundred yards from the road is the petroglyph site. From here, you can continue onward up to the tunnels and China Wall.

A view of the petroglyph site from near Donner Pass Road
A view of the petroglyph site from near Donner Pass Road

Visiting the Donner Pass Petroglyphs

The Donner Pass Petroglyphs are a remarkable collection of rock art carvings. All efforts should be taken to preserve and protect these ancient carvings. Please do your best not to damage or deface these carvings. This petroglyph site is a terrific historical point of interest. I suggest adding it to an overall exploration of the Donner Summit area.

Taken from the Donner Summit Petroglyphs marker
Taken from the Donner Summit Petroglyphs marker

Directions to the Donner Summit Petroglyphs

All of these points of interest are located on Donner Pass Road (DPR), also known as Old Highway 40.  There are two points where DPR can be accessed: the first is off I-80 at the Soda Springs exit and the second is off Donner Lake Road by Donner Lake in Truckee.

If you head up during the dry, warm months then I suggest getting off at the Soda Springs exit and driving through some of the old, tiny mountain “towns” like Soda Springs, Donner and Norden.

Once you pass through Donner and Norden, you will see the Donner Summit Bridge. A few hundred yards east of the bridge (further down DPR) is a small parking area on your right side. The China Wall historical marker is here and you can clearly see China Wall and the tunnels a few hundred feet above.

A view of the parking area from up near China Wall
A view of the parking area from up near China Wall
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Rick

After many years of being a full time freelance writer, and a long time resident of this state, I've decided to turn my full attention toward California by exploring all that it has to offer. My goal is to inspire you to get out there and explore this amazing state. Please follow my adventures and news content by visiting Calexplornia daily or clicking on one of my Social Media accounts below.

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