Blackwater Draw, Stream channel in Roosevelt County, New Mexico.
Blackwater Draw is a stream channel in Roosevelt County that extends through the dry plains of eastern New Mexico for many kilometers. The watercourse cuts through the flat highlands and connects with other waterways that flow into neighboring states.
The location saw early human hunting activity several thousand years ago when people pursued large animals here. Systematic excavations beginning in the 1930s uncovered substantial evidence of these ancient hunting stations.
The stream's surroundings show layers of occupation from different ancient peoples who lived and hunted in this region. Visitors can observe how settlements changed and adapted over many centuries of human presence here.
The location sits in a dry, flat area in eastern New Mexico that is typically open and isolated. The best time to visit is during cooler months when weather conditions are less extreme.
Archaeological research discovered protein residues on ancient tools that prove hunters used them to kill large extinct animals. These findings provide rare direct evidence of how these early people actually hunted.
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