Blackwater Locality No. 1: Brief Summary of the Master Plan
by George Crawford, Assistant Curator, Blackwater Locality No. 1

Blackwater Locality No. 1 (the Clovis site) is the location of a prehistoric pond on a portion of the Southern High Plains known as the Llano Estacado. This pond has been a focal point of indigenous lifeways over the last 12 millennia in this semi-arid region, providing water and attracting game. Blackwater Locality No. 1 is the site where modern archaeologists first proved that humans and extinct Pleistocene fauna co- existed in the New World.

Blackwater Locality No.1 National Historic Landmark is an archaeological preserve recognized as a state, national and world- wide significant resource. The importance of the site is apparent from the well stratified, concurrent archaeological, geologic, and biotic resources. The strata at the site represent over eleven millennia of cultural adaptation and the role of the changing environment in human survival. Every major period of North American prehistory is represented at Blackwater Locality No. 1, adding to the significance of the site by allowing an examination of a nearly complete and stratified cultural sequence.

As a National Historic Landmark it is our duty to not only preserve and protect this valuable resource but also to make the materials and site resources available for public education and scientific research. This will be best accomplished by adhering to a Master Plan for the long-range development of the site. This Development Proposal provides a framework for creating an educational resource, scientific preserve, and cultural hub for Eastern New Mexico and the Southern High Plains.

The Management Plan

In order to manage Blackwater Locality No. 1 effectively, site objectives have been divided into four functional programs: 1) Security and Conservation, 2) Research, 3) Access, and 4) Interpretation. Each section is defined as it pertains to this report and as it will be used throughout the Development Proposal.

Security

Security and Conservation includes physical security of the resources (in-situ and curated materials) as well as more general long-term protection of the Landmark. This will include the establishment of protocols for archaeological work, curation planning, erosion control, vegetation and wildlife management, and archival security. While developing a security plan, other comparable facilities should be studied in order to understand the problems and concerns encountered previously.

Research

Research planning will primarily be concerned with the development of acceptable research designs and establishing ongoing directions for work at the site. Research will also be concerned with ongoing hypothesis- based excavations and further analysis of the extensive materials previously gathered and curated at the site.

Access

Access is a broad category covering many aspects of controlled use by the public whom the site serves. This includes the development and maintenance of structured interpretive trails and multi-use areas as well as considering basic public needs such as parking, restrooms, and rest areas. Access planning will consider the needs of those with disabilities and attempt to make the site as barrier-free as possible.

Interpretation

Interpretation is extremely important at any prehistoric site. Cultural heritage sites depend on the interest and support of the public, and in return, should provide that public with a meaningful and educational experience. The Interpretation Plan is a broad developmental outline intended to function as a strategic guide for future programs at Blackwater.

Eastern New Mexico University owns and manages approximately 25% of the area designated as a National Historic Landmark. Less than a third of the managed portion of Locality No. 1 has been subject to gravel mining in the past. The mine-impacted portion of the site allows for large areas to be safely developed without impacting any in situ cultural resources. The currently managed area should be used for the interpretive center, displays, and primary trails saving the less impacted portions of the Landmark for future research. Furthermore, an effort should be made to incorporate the surrounding properties into the overall management and protection of this valuable cultural resource.

Management Issues

Physical Security of the Landmark.

Blackwater Locality No. 1 remained unprotected until Eastern New Mexico University purchased the exposed portion of the site in 1978. Prior to this, the site was mined for gravel, used as a shooting range and motorcycle course, and was open to artifact collectors. The eventual creation of an on-site curator position established a presence at the site, preventing unauthorized access. The managed portion of the site is fenced and remains locked when not open to the public.

Boundaries of the Cultural Resources.

Blackwater Locality No. 1 is actually a compilation of many prehistoric sites and activity areas. It is certain that the cultural resources extend well beyond the current boundaries of the managed portion of the site. The regions beyond the lake remnant are likely to contain the habitation areas and sites pertaining to activities other than hunting and are, therefore, extremely important for an understanding of early lifeways on the Southern High Plains.

Landmark Protection and Land Acquisition.

Only one-quarter of this portion of the National Historic Landmark is owned and managed by the Eastern New Mexico Board of Regents. Acquisition of the remainder of Locality No. 1 should be considered if protection of this valuable resource is truly a priority. Currently, the southern portion (beyond the managed area) is being impacted by prairie dogs and grazing practices but is still in its undeveloped natural state. The potential integrity of buried cultural materials in this area makes it critical to pursue protection for this parcel of land.

Current Surface Conditions and Erosion Control.

Surface conditions on the portions of Blackwater that have not been mined are relatively stable and protected by native grasses and forbs. Geologic investigations undertaken in the unmined portion of the Landmark showed that, "at the time of occupation, and a majority of time since, the area has been relatively well stabilized by vegetation" (Shelley 1988). Similar stratigraphic and pedogenic data were reported for the area to the west of the managed portion of the site (Boldurian et al. 1987). This stability has only recently been adversely impacted by modern agricultural practices.

Natural Resource Management.

The boundaries of the National Historic Landmark contain large areas of stable, natural prairie representative of the Southern High Plains. The largest contiguous portion of prairie is contained in the state-owned land leased for grazing, south of the managed portion of the Landmark. As previous investigations have shown, this area most likely contains significant cultural and faunal materials. Cultural resources have been (and should continue to be) the primary concern for this site. However, the development of the site will call for the continued practice of restoring the native biota. This will not only improve the Interpretation initiative of the Landmark by presenting the natural habitat for the region but will enhance the enjoyment and the overall visitor experience.

Research Directions at Blackwater.

Blackwater Locality No. 1 contains a record of human activity dating from the end of the Pleistocene. The diverse materials at the site hold enormous research potential for archaeologists, geologists, and biologists. This potential is reflected in the multidisciplinary research performed on the site for over 60 years. The diversity of these data allows the indigenous cultures to be examined in a holistic manner. This is often not the case with the short-term, single episode sites more commonly found on the Southern High Plains.

Regional Research Center.

The addition of research facilities at Blackwater Locality No.1 would help to truly establish the site as an important regional center for the study of early humans on the Southern High Plains. The site contains a wealth of well-preserved Late Quaternary material, with a congenial climate permitting year-round work.

Professional Access.

Professional interest will rise with the aforementioned construction of a proper research facility on the site as it would, for the first time, bring the enormous collection together for study. Professional access should be made available, by previous arrangement, throughout the year for serious, research- oriented individuals who can produce a research design acceptable to the Director. However, utilization of staff time for extended projects will be charged accordingly.

Access and Visitor Facilities.

Blackwater Locality No. 1 is open to the public every day during the summer months from Memorial Day to Labor Day, weekends in spring and fall, and by appointment throughout the winter. Access for visitors is from Highway NM 467 between Clovis and Portales. Parking is available at the office where the walking tour begins and includes one parking space near the office for visitors with special needs. Currently, access while touring the site is restricted to roads, specified trails, office, and the South Bank Interpretive Building. Restroom facilities are located in the main office and a portable toilet is located approximately half way along the loop trail.

Collections.

Collections housed at Eastern New Mexico University are safe but not easily accessible to researchers. The issue to be addressed with collections is the fact that a significant portion of artifacts from the site are not available for research. Some collections are housed elsewhere. Limited funding to maintain and provide staff for such a collection makes it difficult to keep materials available for research. Presently, the primary needs at the Curation Facility are climate control and staffing. Climate control should include general temperature and humidity control and a data collection unit to track climate change and the system's integrity. Document Archival. The collections from Blackwater include many unique and invaluable paper documents, field notes, slides and photographs. These will need to be included in any long-range collections management planning. Materials held at other institutions should be sought and copied for the research collection at the site. Considerations should be made for proper archival procedures to insure that these valuable resources are not lost due to neglect. Document archival will likely involve a significant capital outlay but is relatively inexpensive to perpetuate with a knowledgeable curator.

Student Resources.

Blackwater Locality No.1 could not function in its current state without the aide of student resources. Students from ENMU work at the site or in the curation facility in various tasks to aide the on-site curator. However, students cannot be expected to stay in the positions for more than a few semesters, giving little continuity to their positions. Although the student resources will still be utilized in future operations of the site, a small professional staff will be necessary to bring the site into its place as a premier research facility of Paleoindian studies.

Long Term Objectives

Current funding for the operation of the site and museum comes directly from the State of New Mexico. The operating budget essentially covers minimal upkeep for the site. Few, if any, changes relating to this Master Plan could be made within the current budget. Previous improvements have been accomplished through capital outlay funds provided directly by the State or granted through the SHPO from Federal sources. Supplemental funding should be sought for salaries and specific projects determined by the Master Plan. A supplemental document has been compiled as part of this Master Plan for internal use including many sources for revenue that should be pursued to begin implementing portions of this plan. Listed here are immediate goals for the development and improvement of Blackwater Locality No. 1. More specific information and background can be found in the Master Plan.

• Build an on-site Interpretive/Research/Curation complex.
• Build fieldwork/support building.
• Secure funding for necessary staff to operate the facility and create the necessary positions (Curator/Conservationist, Educator/Public Outreach Coordinator, and Site Archaeologist).
• Acquire land parcels surrounding the currently managed portion. Paleoindian sites are very rare and it would be negligent to allow this extremely rich resource to perish due to lack of action. These parcels would not only be used to better understand early humans in the Americas but would allow us to protect and hold this portion of the site as a preserve for the future.
• Perform a boundary study in conjunction with a general cultural resources survey for the area.
• In the South Bank Interpretive Building: Add climate control, closed circuit security monitoring, complete walkway across upper portion of the excavations, finish interior walls, and create an Interpretive Display to explain the excavations.
• Stabilize the West Wall area and mitigate the cultural resources that cannot be preserved.
• Create plan to eradicate destructive, introduced plants and replace with local biota.
• Remove unnecessary fences and add internal perimeter fence at appropriate locations.
• Create a research design guideline for distribution to outside institutions and agencies.
• Continue to pursue outside collections and field notes pertaining to the site.
• Secure funding to map the remainder of the cultural resource area; including the purchase of a site-dedicated Total Station and Global Positioning System.
• Develop a comprehensive Thematic Interpretive Program for the site to be used in the Interpretive Center, Wayside Exhibit, and on Trail network.
• Design and construct an entrance for the Landmark conveying the importance and nature of the site.
• Design and construct a new trail network, accessible to a wide variety of abilities, and remove unnecessary mine roads from the property. Design an Interpretive Nature Trail to enhance the understanding of the local environment and its relationship to humans. With the Interpretive Trail, a thematic sign design, as well as an information kiosk should be developed.
• Construct a multi-use pavilion and rest area to promote longer stays at the site.
• Clarify parking for the new Interpretive Center.
• Create small rest-bench areas along the route to accommodate visitors during walks.
• Improve the directional signs along major highways, and extend these to encompass a radius of 120 miles to aid travelers. This should include a large informational sign on Interstate 40 near Tucumcari and Santa Rosa.
• Create a fund for the purchase and maintenance of a support vehicle.

Visitor Experience

Interpretive development will need to address the potentials of the visitor experience and the capacity of the site to fulfill visitors' needs and desires. As public education is an important goal of cultural resource management, the quality of the visitors' experience should be of the highest consideration in future funding and development of Blackwater. A plan emphasizing public outreach, including on-site development of cultural interpretive areas and activities will foster growth and increase the number of visitors to the site as it becomes better known to the general population. With this plan, site personnel will monitor visitor use and be able to periodically restructure programs based on feedback from the public.

With the completion of the basic interpretive development at Blackwater, visitors will have been exposed to the following concepts or facts:

• Blackwater National Historic Landmark is an invaluable cultural and scientific resource, having significance on regional, national, and global levels.
• The Landmark is worth protecting, not only as a static resource, but as a research facility contributing to the body of knowledge of prehistoric cultures in the Americas.
• Blackwater contains a cultural continuity, exhibited in the well-stratified archaeological deposits, spanning from Paleoindian to Late- Prehistoric times. The Landmark also preserves a record of climatic change in the Late Quaternary.
• The local environment, including weather, terrain, and biota influenced human adaptation and lifeways on the Southern High Plains.
• Although known primarily for its Clovis and Folsom material culture, the Blackwater Site documents early twentieth-century mining from horse- drawn machines to large diesel-powered operations.
• The archives at Blackwater provide a glimpse of the evolution of archaeological field methods from the early twentieth-century as well as the impacts of punctuated governmental and private interaction on sites of this type.
• The visitor should also be given the opportunity to learn about the Llano Estacado as a unique landform and view the varied flora of the region.
• The collections housed at the site provide a unique and valuable body of data for understanding past lifeways on the Southern High Plains.

The largest audience to visit the site annually consists of elementary through high school students comprising 60-70% of the total paying visitors. The remainder of visitors to the site are nearly evenly divided between professionals in archaeology and drop-in visitors. The drop-ins include the local population, tourists, and military personnel from Cannon Air Force Base.

Tours

Plans for tours beyond the Interpretive Center should be made to accommodate all levels of abilities and interest. With three primary trails and several siding trails available, visitors will have a wide variety of choices for length of stay and features to see.

Educational Programs

Educational programs are vital to maintaining ongoing community support over a long period of time. The primary focus of the educational programs should be focused on pre-college age students and could integrate nearly all aspects of science and culture. Simple hands-on activities should be utilized to interest and educate the students.

National Historic Landmark Description And Boundaries

The current NHL boundaries were determined by representatives of the National Park Service following estimates of previous work at the site. To truly determine the boundaries of the cultural resources at Blackwater it will be necessary to, at least, begin a systematic exploration of the boundaries by coring or trenching. Also to be clarified is the National Park Service nomenclature. NPS documents insist on retaining the name "Anderson Basin" although state records (ARMS) as well as professionals in archaeology refer to the site as Blackwater Locality No. 1.

Consideration For Inclusion In The UNESCO World Heritage List

World Heritage Nomination : Although the site is not currently listed as a potential nominee for inclusion into the World Heritage List it certainly meets the minimal criteria (UNESCO 1997, paragraph 24). Much of this is described above. The site may also meet criteria for nomination as a natural site as well (UNESCO 1997, paragraph 44). The site is a significant geologic/geomorphic feature from the climatic evidence shown in the lakebed deposits.

Blackwater Locality No. 1 is widely known as the type site for the oldest defined culture in North America. The site meets the minimum criteria to become a potential nominee for inscription into the World Heritage List as defined by UNESCO, and as such, this opportunity should be pursued immediately through the local World Heritage authority (National Park Service).

Additional Information

For further information about the Master Plan please contact:

     Dr. John Montgomery
     Director, Blackwater Locality No. 1
     Telephone (505) 562-2254
     Fax       (505) 562-2291

or write to:                                                        

     Blackwater Locality No. 1
     Station 3
     Eastern New Mexico University
     Portales, NM  88130

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