“Every new discovery, every careful sweep of a brush over a painstakingly revealed mandible, or humerus, or rib, is another brightly colored thread of the rich tapestry of the prehistory of our area. Reconstructing this tapestry gives us treasured insights into the people who inhabited it 13,000 years ago.” Quote from the Blackwater Draw National Historic Landmark and Museum.

Archaeologists at Blackwater Draw uncovered the first evidence that people lived in America over 12,000 years ago.

Layers of excavated sediment revealed evidence of Paleoindian occupation at this site, including Clovis, 11,000 years ago; Folsom, 10,000 years ago; Portales, 9,000 years ago; and Archaic, 7,000 years ago.

Over 11,000 years ago, this rock shelter was used to conceal a hunting party that waited for their prey to approach the watering hole.

The following photographs show some of the evidence archaeologists have collected during the periods of occupation—

Flakes knapped from larger preforms in the making of stone tools.

Serrated Blade knapped from a chert preform.

Clovis Points.

An exceptionally well-honed Clovis Point shows the existence of a master stone sculptor.

Young Bison skull.

Fragments from woven mats.

Fragments from woven baskets.

Mano and Metate used to grind seeds, nuts, herbs, and bulbs.

In later periods, manos were used to grind corn.

Reconstructed travois perhaps first used for hauling by domesticated dogs, later by horse.

Type of leggings made from deer hide.

Sample Buffalo blankets. Blackwater Draw is a site armchair archaeologists—like us—don’t want to miss. Take the tour around the site, watch archaeologists at work and visit the museum in Portales, NM and check out their website at: Blackwater Draw National Historic Landmark and Museum.