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Murray Springs Clovis Site: Echoes of the Ice Age

Explore an ancient Clovis hunting camp in Arizona, where mammoths roamed and early humans crafted stone tools 13,000 years ago.

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Step back 13,000 years at Murray Springs Clovis Site, near Sierra Vista, Arizona, where nomadic hunters of the Clovis culture camped and hunted megafauna like mammoths, bison, and horses. Explore the archaeological site with its interpretive trail, discovering remnants of stone tool manufacturing and animal butchering that offer a glimpse into the lives of these early Paleoindians.

A brief summary to Murray Springs Clovis Site

Local tips

  • Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the desert heat and enjoy cooler hiking conditions.
  • Bring plenty of water and snacks, as the desert environment can be very dry.
  • Wear sturdy hiking shoes, as the terrain can be uneven in areas.
  • Stay on the marked trails to protect the archaeological site and adhere to Leave No Trace principles.
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Getting There

  • Car

    From Sierra Vista, take Arizona Route 90 east for approximately 6 miles. Turn left onto Moson Road and continue for about 1.2 miles. Turn right onto Murray Springs Road; proceed on foot from the trailhead. Note that the access road leading to the trail is currently closed to vehicle traffic. Day use is free.

  • Public Transport

    Take a Greyhound bus or local shuttle to Sierra Vista from Tucson. From the Sierra Vista bus station, a taxi or rideshare (Uber/Lyft) to Murray Springs Clovis Site will cost approximately $15-$20, as the site is about 10 miles away from the station. Check bus schedules in advance.

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Discover more about Murray Springs Clovis Site

Murray Springs Clovis Site, nestled in the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area near Sierra Vista, Arizona, offers a unique window into North America's prehistoric past. Around 13,000 years ago, during the late Pleistocene era, this area served as a hunting camp for the Clovis people, a Paleoindian culture known for their distinctive fluted projectile points. Archaeologists C. Vance Haynes and Peter Mehringer discovered the site in 1966, recognizing its significance while mapping the nearby Lehner Mammoth-Kill Site. Excavations in the late 1960s and early 1970s revealed a wealth of artifacts, including stone tools, bone tools, hearths, and the remains of megafauna such as mammoths, bison, and horses. The site is particularly notable for its evidence of Clovis stone tool production and large mammal butchering, considered among the most comprehensive in the southwestern United States. Today, visitors can explore the Murray Springs Clovis Site via a short, interpretive trail. Interpretive signs along the trail describe the discoveries made at the site and provide insights into the daily lives of the Clovis people. While you won't find any original artifacts on the surface, the trail guides you through the landscape where these ancient hunters once thrived, allowing you to imagine a time when mammoths roamed the valley. The Bureau of Land Management oversees the site, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

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