Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
It’s easy to overlook treasures in our own backyard, and that often seems to be the case when it comes to the Blackwater Draw National Historic Landmark.
A surprising number of locals have never turned in at the gate six miles north of Portales, to venture down into the old Sam Sanders gravel pit and journey 13,000 years back in time.
This weekend is a great time to discover … or rediscover … both the dig site and the Blackwater Draw Museum (reborn in May with fresh, interactive exhibits, tucked into a new location in the north wing of Lea Hall on the campus of Eastern New Mexico University).
Saturday is the 17th Fall Atlatl Competition at the dig site, 508 NM 467. This light-hearted event is sponsored by Blackwater Draw and Mu Alpha Nu (yes, the acronym is MAN), Eastern’s anthropological organization.
Brendon Asher, the newly appointed director of Blackwater Draw, and Jenna Domeischel, curator of the museum since 2015, are eager to share their prehistoric playground.
“How many opportunities do you get to throw some darts and win Clovis points donated by an amazing local knapper?” Domeischel said.
Gates open at 9 a.m. Saturday, and the official competition starts at 10 a.m. Anyone who just wants to try their hand … or maybe I should say their arm … at using an atlatl is warmly welcomed.
I ventured into this laughter-filled hunting ground a few years ago, and quickly deduced I’d have starved almost immediately during the Ice Age. I am somewhat comforted that even a professional archaeologist like Domeischel swears she could only take down a mammoth if she accidentally tripped it.
Asher said maybe he could down one with help from a lot of friends, but added, “I think the smaller, less dangerous animals and plants would begin to look pretty tasty if I lived 13,000 years ago.”
On a more academic note, Asher is scheduled to give a half hour tour of the interpretative center — the covered area where excavation has continued for decades — at 1 p.m. Saturday.
“This allows visitors a chance to see an active archaeological excavation with all the bones still in place for viewing,” Asher said. “I'll talk about why people were in this part of New Mexico thousands of years ago, and what they were doing specifically at the Blackwater Draw location.”
Domeischel said she will also have a “mini museum” set up, as well as some activities for anyone “who needs a break from tossing darts.”
“My favorite activity is stringing the bison tooth necklace,” she said. “I think it makes everyone wearing it look like a victorious hunter.”
Admission is free, and Mu Alpha Nu members will be selling savory snacks throughout the day, guaranteeing that frustrated mammoth hunters can at least bag a hot dog.
Betty Williamson thinks Blackwater Draw may be eastern New Mexico’s best-kept secret. You may reach her at: [email protected]