Calico Early Man Site

Calico Early Man Site is an archaeological location in the Mojave Desert within San Bernardino County, California. Stone tools and artifacts scattered across the deposits offer evidence of human activity in this remote desert setting.

Ruth DeEtte Simpson and Louis Leakey began excavations in 1964 and worked for decades to investigate the location. Their work sparked debates about early human presence in North America that continue among researchers today.

The site includes petroglyphs and sections of ancient pathways linked to the transportation of chalcedony stones by Native American inhabitants.

The excavation area sits roughly 10 miles (16 km) west of Calico Ghost Town and can be reached by gravel roads. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and carry water, as the surroundings are dry and remote.

Dating estimates for the stone tools reach back as far as 200,000 years and challenge common theories about when humans first arrived in the Americas. This timeframe is far earlier than the previously accepted settlement periods for the continent.

Location: San Bernardino County

GPS coordinates: 34.94814,-116.76133

Latest update: December 20, 2025 11:48