INTERPRETIVE CENTER
BLACKWATER DRAW SITE

NEW MEXICO
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COPYRIGHT SEPTEMBER 30, 2012 PETER A. BOSTROM

    This picture shows the Interpretive Center and the small structure that covers a Clovis age well. The Interpretive Center is the largest building on the Blackwater Draw site and open to the public. The steel structure covers a 3,500 foot area. The building was built in 1997 over exposed bones that were weathering out of the excavated hillside. Excavation inside the building is on-going and should eventually display all the different archaeological horizons that are represented on the site.
     One of the most unique archaeological features at Blackwater Draw are the ancient wells. Approximately twenty wells have been discovered. Most of them date to the Archaic period. But at least one or more date to the Clovis period and are estimated to be at least 13,000 years old. These wells were dug down to the water bearing gravels with either tortoise shell, stone, bone or wooden tools. A small building, that can be seen in this picture, covers one of the oldest wells on the site and it's recognized as the oldest well and water control system in North America.
PHOTO CREDIT GEORGE CRAWFORD
 

Large building is Interpretive Center, small building is well.

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