Lehner Mammoth Kill Site, Huachuca Mountains Travel Guide

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Explore the ancient past at the Lehner Mammoth Kill Site, where mammoths roamed and Clovis hunters thrived in southeastern Arizona.

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Lehner Mammoth Kill Site

The Lehner Mammoth Kill Site in Hereford, Arizona, is a significant archaeological site where evidence of Paleo-Indians hunting mammoths around 11,000 to 12,000 years ago was discovered. Although the actual fossils and artifacts have been removed for preservation and study, the site offers a glimpse into the lives of the Clovis people and the megafauna that once roamed North America.

A brief summary to Lehner Mammoth Kill Site

E Lehner Rd, Hereford, Arizona, 85615, US
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From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Lehner Mammoth Kill Site.

Remember that the actual fossils and artifacts are not on display at the site. Visit the Arizona State Museum in Tucson to view some of the finds from the Lehner site.
The site is located on a dirt road, so use caution when driving, especially after rain.
Bring water and sun protection, as there is little shade at the site.

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Getting There

Driving

From Sierra Vista, take Highway 92 east towards Hereford. Turn east onto Palominas Road, then turn north onto Lehner Road, a dirt road. The Lehner Mammoth Kill Site will be on the left, approximately 2 miles north of Palominas Road. There is ample parking at the monument site. Note that Lehner Road is a dirt road, so exercise caution. There are no fees to access the site.

Discover more about Lehner Mammoth Kill Site

The Lehner Mammoth Kill Site, located near Hereford, Arizona, is a National Historic Landmark that provides a unique window into the distant past. In 1952, rancher Ed Lehner discovered large bones eroding from a wash on his property, leading to the unearthing of one of the best-preserved mammoth hunting sites in the New World.Excavations in the 1950s and 1970s revealed the remains of at least nine immature mammoths, along with bison, horse, tapir, and camel bones, all bearing marks of butchering. Archaeologists also found 13 Clovis spear points and various cutting and scraping tools, confirming that humans hunted these animals. The site also contained definable fire hearths, the first found at a Clovis site, providing the first radiocarbon dates for the culture (9,000 BCE).Today, the Lehner Mammoth Kill Site is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. While the original bones and artifacts are no longer visible on-site, the location is marked with signs and offers a place for quiet reflection on the ancient history of the San Pedro Valley. It serves as a reminder of the Clovis people, their hunting practices, and the diverse megafauna that once thrived in this region.