Some History to Share
The Mimbres region has seen some of the most intensive and extensive looting in North America because of the exquisite painted pottery. Many believed that there were few archaeological remains left to study. Despite the site destruction, archaeologists over decades have gleaned knowledge of the region’s ancient past. Additionally, recent efforts by local residents to preserve the archaeological record offer hope for the future.
The Mattocks Site in the northern Mimbres Valley is the focus of our tours. Participants may explore the site with tour leaders William Hudson or Marilyn Markel, or other volunteers as they walk through the site and museum.
Our museum has three themes. The first briefly introduces the region and its complex history of human groups from Archaic through Classic Mimbres to Apache.
It also guides you visually through the Mimbres Foundation excavation at the Mattocks Site in the 1970's.
The outdoor trail is where the tour leaders share the impressive work by local residents in preserving the site, laying an interpretive trail, assembling our small museum, providing educational activities for local children, and building facilities for researchers.
The Mattocks Site in the northern Mimbres Valley is the focus of our tours. Participants may explore the site with tour leaders William Hudson or Marilyn Markel, or other volunteers as they walk through the site and museum.
Our museum has three themes. The first briefly introduces the region and its complex history of human groups from Archaic through Classic Mimbres to Apache.
It also guides you visually through the Mimbres Foundation excavation at the Mattocks Site in the 1970's.
The outdoor trail is where the tour leaders share the impressive work by local residents in preserving the site, laying an interpretive trail, assembling our small museum, providing educational activities for local children, and building facilities for researchers.
Excavations
The Mimbres people lived here about 1,000 years ago, and as far back as 1883, the site has attracted the interest of archaeologists. Adolf Bandelier stopped to visit Dr. Granville Wood, homesteading the property in 1883. In 1929-31, the first scientific excavation was led by Paul Nesbitt of the Logan Museum, Beloit, Wisconsin.
In the 1970's, the Mimbres Foundation conducted another major dig and study of the Mattocks Site. Detailed information can be found in the texts available for purchase in the museum gift shop or learned on our tours. The GCAS Library is available by appointment. (772) 529-2627
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LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The Mimbres Culture Heritage Site rests on the traditional, unceded ancestral homelands of the indigenous peoples of the region including but not limited to the Archaic Hunter Gatherers, Mimbres, Mogollon, Warm Springs Apache, Chihene N’de peoples. Indigenous peoples have deep connections to the land and represent the heritage stewards and inhabitants of this region for thousands of years. Indigenous human habitation in the Gila wilderness and throughout these lands extend back more than 20,000 years. We recognize that the violence of genocide, biodiversity depletion, and land and water colonization are ongoing. We acknowledge that it is our responsibility to work against historical erasure, exploitation, and violence against the land and these viable cultures. We respect the right of Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination and are committed to recognizing and honoring Indigenous voices working in partnership toward the health, healing, and preservation of these sacred lands in collective reverence and respect. |
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