Clovis Site (Blackwater Draw)

Excavations there in the 1930s uncovered distinctive fluted stone projectile points alongside mammoth remains, defining the Clovis culture. The finds provided key evidence that humans were in North America around 13,000 years ago.

They include the fluted Clovis spear points, plus bones of mammoth and bison from ancient kill and butchering areas. Overlying layers later yielded Folsom points from a younger culture at the same locality.

Clovis points are fluted and date to roughly 13,000 years ago, while Folsom points are a later, more finely fluted type associated with bison hunting and named for finds at Folsom, New Mexico in the 1920s. Blackwater Draw preserves both, in separate stratigraphic layers.

Yes. The site, located between Clovis and Portales in eastern New Mexico, is owned and operated by Eastern New Mexico University and can be visited. It has been designated a National Historic Landmark in recognition of its role in defining the Clovis culture.