Pendejo Cave

Pendejo Cave is an archaeological site carved into limestone within Rough Canyon in New Mexico, featuring an entrance approximately 15 feet wide and 25 feet tall. The chamber extends roughly 40 feet back into the escarpment at an elevation near 4,900 feet.

Excavations conducted in the 1990s revealed evidence of human occupation predating the Clovis Culture of North America. The layered deposits suggest settlement in a much earlier period of human presence on the continent.

Artifacts recovered from the cave reveal how early inhabitants fashioned tools and objects from bone and stone for daily survival. These remnants provide insight into the skills and daily practices of people who sheltered here long ago.

The site sits well above the canyon floor and is located on military installation grounds, which may affect visitor access. Plan ahead to understand any restrictions and bring appropriate gear for exploring the rocky terrain.

Remains of extinct ice age animals including mammoths and giant ground sloths were discovered in the cave alongside human-made tools. This combination of prehistoric animal bones and human artifacts reveals that people and megafauna coexisted in this location.

GPS coordinates: 32.41667,-105.91667

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:40