Southeastern Arizona gets new national historic landmark | Arts & Culture

Southern Arizona has received another national historic landmark, the Murray Springs Clovis Site, according to an announcement made by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.   It was one of 26 new national historic landmarks and one national natural landmarks recognized yesterday.

Murray Springs is located in southeastern Arizona in the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, and according to archaeologists is one of the best-dated Paleoindian sites in North America.  It is also one of the most significant Clovis sites (providing evidence of the earliest well-documented cultures in the Americas).  The site (over 13,000 years old) contains multiple bison kills, a mammoth kill and possibly a horse kill, all encased in the deeply stratified (layered) sediment. 

In addition to the hunting evidence are thousands of stone tools, and waste flakes from the manufacture of the tools.  Murray Springs has also been called the largest single sample of Clovis flint knapping activity in the western U.S.  Photos of the site, excavations, and artifacts are posted on the BLM Arizona Facebook page. 

There are currently only 2,527 designated national historic landmarks and 592 national natural landmarks across the U.S. that have this unique distinction; recognized as a place of exceptional value and quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the U.S.

In his statement yesterday, Sec. of the Interior Salazar had this to say, “Each of these landmarks represents a thread in the great tapestry that tells the story of our beautiful land, our diverse culture and our nation’s rich heritage.” 

The BLM is encouraging Arizona residents and visitors to walk the 1/3 mile-long trail and read its ten interpretive exhibits.  For more information on the Murray Springs Clovis Site Trail please go online to  http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/cultural/murray.html. 

For a list of all 26 national historic landmarks, visit the Department of the Interior website at http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/Interior-Designates-27-New-National-Landmarks.cfm