Dig Into the Collection of Site Records
The handful of sites discussed on the Notable Sites page exemplify the many different people, behaviors, cultures and time-periods represented in southeast New Mexico. However, there are thousands of other archaeological sites on the landscape that also represent past people and their behavior in southeast New Mexico.
Use this page to learn about some of these lesser known sites and what they can tell us about life in the past.
LA 161918
Across the landscape of southeast New Mexico, ancestral sites can be as large as a permanent settlement complete with buildings and crops, or as small as a handful of artifacts…
LA 124525
LA 124525 was a short-term home for nomadic groups hunting and gathering in southwest New Mexico during the archaic and formative periods. The nomadic peoples staying in this area may…
Aeolus Site
Ancestral peoples on the Mescalero Plains often stopped at established campsites to hunt, process and cook foods, or make new tools. At this locale, ancestors may have set up camp…
LA 121545
During the Formative period permanent home sites in southeast New Mexico became more common. At these sites, nomadic groups began staying put for longer periods of time or permanently throughout…
LA 15189
LA 15189 is a campsite that nomadic ancestors utilized throughout the Formative Period (AD 500-1450). Much like modern campsites, travelers likely stopped here for brief visits. The familiar spot provided…
LA 132358
Resting along the banks of the Pecos River lies site LA 132358. Ancestral peoples stopped here frequently between the late archaic and late formative years, using it as a hunting…
LA 180637
Ancestral peoples likely settled at this Formative Period camp for seasonal periods. Although it is not great in size, a vast array of artifacts suggests that residents were preparing for…
LA 120951
Ancestral peoples returned again and again to this seasonal camp throughout the PaleoIndian, Archaic, and Formative periods. Today, flaked stone artifacts appear in the thousands, suggesting that this site was…
LA 176865
LA 176865 is a residential camp situated atop a ridge overlooking Clayton Basin. Residents likely chose this spot for the ability to oversee the surrounding landscape, as well as its…
Granado Cave
On the unforgiving Chihuahuan Desert, ancestral nomads sought cover in caves and rock shelters. For more than 1200 years families settled at Granado Cave for short periods of time as…
Biting Ant Site Complex LA 171726
The Biting Ant Complex saw a flurry of activity between the middle and late archaic periods. Ancestral peoples likely used the site repeatedly as a residential camp or as a…