The Nimerigar: Wyoming’s Mysterious Little People of Legend and Lore

​In the heart of Wyoming’s rugged terrain lies a legend that intertwines Native American folklore with one of the state’s most mysterious archaeological discoveries: the Nimerigar!

The Legend of the Nimerigar

For generations, the Shoshone people have spoken of the Nimerigar—a mysterious race of little people, standing between 20 inches and three feet tall. This mysterious group is best known for their fierce nature and supernatural abilities.

Additionally, these beings were believed to be aggressive, wielding poisoned arrows, and, according to some tales, would end the lives of their own if they became too ill to contribute to their society.​

The Nimerigar: Fact or Fiction?

The legend took a tangible turn in 1934 when two gold prospectors, Cecil Mayne and Frank Carr, explored a cave in Wyoming’s Pedro Mountains and discovered a tiny mummified body seated on a ledge.

Measuring approximately 6.5 inches tall in its seated position and estimated at 14 inches when standing, the mummy had a flattened skull, a low forehead, and a wide mouth with thin lips, giving it the appearance of a miniature old man.

Dubbed the “Pedro Mountain Mummy,” this discovery sparked widespread intrigue and speculation.​

Initial examinations, including X-rays, suggested the mummy was an adult, possibly around 65 years old, with a full set of teeth and signs of violent death, including a smashed skull and broken bones.

These findings seemed to corroborate the Shoshone legends of the Nimerigar. However, subsequent analyses by experts from the American Museum of Natural History and the Field Museum concluded that the remains were those of an anencephalic infant—a baby born with a fatal birth defect that gave it an adult-like appearance.​

Where is the Mummy Today?

The mummy was displayed in various locations, including a drugstore in Meeteetse, Wyoming. Later, the unforgettable mummy came into the possession of a car dealer named Ivan Goodman. After Goodman’s death, the mummy’s whereabouts became a mystery, with reports suggesting it was lost or sold, and it has not been seen since.

In the 1990s, a similar mummy, nicknamed “Chiquita,” surfaced in Wyoming. This 4-inch-tall mummy was also determined to be an anencephalic infant of Native American descent, dating back to between 1500 and 1700.

A Legend That is Still Alive Today

While scientific analyses have provided explanations for these discoveries, the legends of the Nimerigar continue to captivate imaginations. Whether viewed as myth or misunderstood history, the tales of Wyoming’s little people remain an enduring part of the region’s cultural tapestry.​