Plainview Site facts for kids
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Plainview Site
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| Location | Address restricted |
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| Nearest city | Plainview, Texas |
| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000814 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | January 20, 1961 |
The Plainview Site is a very old Native American archeological site. It is located near Plainview, Texas. This special place is where "Plainview point" spear tips were first found. These spear tips are common in the Central Plains. They show that people lived here a very long time ago, between 7800 and 5100 BC. Because of its importance, the site became a National Historic Landmark in 1961.
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Exploring the Plainview Site
The Plainview Site is found along the banks of Running Water Draw. This is in Hale County, Texas. It was a "kill site." This means ancient hunters used this spot to catch many animals. They might have driven animals off a cliff. Or they could have trapped them in a bend of the river.
What Was Found at the Site?
Scientists have found many things at the Plainview Site. They discovered fossil remains of over 100 animals. These animals were an old type of American bison. More than 20 spear points were also found. Other stone tools were there too. These tools helped the ancient people hunt and prepare their food.
Protecting This Important Place
The Plainview Site is a valuable historical place. It helps us learn about ancient life. It is important to keep such sites safe. Disturbing them can damage the clues they hold.
How Scientists Studied the Site
Local people knew about the site for a long time. They often found old tools there. But scientists did not study it formally until the 1940s. This was after a company started digging for gravel nearby.
Early Investigations
In 1944, Glen L. Evans and Grayson Meade led the first big study. They carefully explored the site. They found many animal remains. But the skulls and tailbones were missing. This suggests that hunters took these parts to another place. They likely used them for other purposes.
Scientists dug a pit to understand the layers of soil. This helped them see how old things were. They made the pit bigger in 1945. They dug more pits in the years that followed.
Later Discoveries
The site was studied again in the 1970s. During this time, scientists found even more of the "kill bed." This is the area where the animals were caught. Later research showed that people used this site many times. It was a favorite hunting spot. The discoveries also taught us about how these ancient hunters cut up the animals.
