Murray Springs Clovis Site, Pima County Travel Guide

Step back 13,000 years at the Murray Springs Clovis Site, a significant archaeological location within the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. This site offers a unique window into the world of the Clovis people, early nomadic hunters who thrived in this region during the late Pleistocene era. Discovered in 1966, Murray Springs quickly became renowned for its well-preserved evidence of Clovis tool manufacturing and large animal butchering.Imagine a landscape teeming with mammoths, bison, and horses, drawn to the watering spots along the San Pedro River. The Clovis people, skilled hunters, established camps here, using the arroyo as a strategic advantage. Archaeologists have unearthed numerous tools, including distinctive fluted projectile points, along with hearths and bone tools, offering insights into their daily lives. The site reveals five distinct animal kill and processing locations, providing a glimpse into their hunting techniques and resourcefulness.Today, a short interpretive trail guides visitors through the site, highlighting key discoveries and illustrating the lives of the Clovis people. Interpretive signs along the trails describe the discoveries made there and the daily lives of the Clovis people. While the landscape may appear quiet and unassuming, it holds the echoes of a distant past, inviting contemplation on the resilience and ingenuity of early humans. The Murray Springs Clovis Site is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It was declared a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Government in 2012.