The time is 13,300 years ago. Imagine that you are enjoying the view of the lush vegetation on the Llano Estacado. The spring fed Blackwater Draw Lake is a favorite place to hunt. You remember how much better this water tastes than the last water hole. It feels good to rest for the moment, watching the insects and birds fly around. The group of hunters you are with suddenly become alert. A tense excitement is mounting as a loud, awesome sound is heard. You recognize this as the sound of a mammoth. The animal is tromping through the tall grasses that surround the lake wanting a drink of cool water. Your extended family members have begun stalking toward the sound. They motion with hand signals for you to go in a certain direction.

Everyone prepares for the flurry of action to come. The spear throwing stick is aimed and ready. The Clovis spear points are sharp. Hopefully one will pierce a vital organ and cause the huge creature to die. The signal is given and the attack proceeds. The mammoth falls. The band of hunters rush to finish the kill.

Plenty of food is available from one animal this size. Tons of meat can be prepared for the coming winter. Most of the group helps in the process of preparing the meat, hide, and bones for future use. Some members keep watch with their weapons ready. Other large predators may be nearby and hungry.

This scene was repeated many times during the Clovis occupation of the Blackwater Draw Site. Even though other animals were killed for food, the mammoth was considered the prize. It provided an abundance of food and other natural resources, such as sinew, tusks, and bone for weapons and tools. Brains for tanning the hide and rib bones for shelter supports were also obtained. Nothing was wasted.

The information gathered for this scenario is presented as clues to the archaeologist. Clues are buried and preserved in the sediments at this and other Paleoindian sites across the United States. We call these clues artifacts. We find artifacts from stone and bone that were used for weapons or tools. Other clues are found in sediments, pollen, and charcoal from hearths. Features such as hearths and wells provide clues to the technology and environment of the Paleoindian.

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