Pueblo Grande de Nevada facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pueblo Grande de Nevada
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 Location in Nevada
Location in the United States
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| Location | 5 miles SE of Overton |
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| Nearest city | Overton, Nevada |
| NRHP reference No. | 82000612 |
| Added to NRHP | October 8, 1982 |
Pueblo Grande de Nevada is a fascinating ancient site in Nevada. It's a group of old villages located near Overton. This important historical place is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
Discovering Ancient Life in Nevada
Pueblo Grande de Nevada is also known as Nevada's "Lost City". People lived here a very long time ago. The first known residents were the Basketmaker people, around 300 A.D. Later, other groups and the Anasazi lived here until about 1150 A.D. Evidence shows that humans might have lived in this area as early as 8000 BC.
Homes of the Past
The houses in the Lost City were quite large. Some had up to 20 rooms. The biggest house found had an amazing 100 rooms! These homes give us clues about how ancient people lived.
Artifacts and the Museum
Many items found at the site are now kept safe. You can see these ancient tools and artifacts at the Lost City Museum. This museum helps us learn more about the people who once called this area home.
Uncovering the Lost City
The history of Pueblo Grande de Nevada involves explorers and archaeologists. They helped bring this ancient site to public attention.
Early Discoveries
In 1827, a famous explorer named Jedediah Smith was traveling through the area. He found various artifacts, which were early signs of the ancient city.
Bringing the Site to Light
Much later, John and Fay Perkins learned that Governor James Scrugham was looking for historical sites. The governor wanted to develop places for tourism in Nevada. The Perkins family shared information about this amazing site, making it known to more people.
Archaeological Excavations
The first archaeologist to dig at the site was Mark Raymond Harrington. He started his work in 1924. Governor Scrugham had asked him to explore the area. Harrington's work helped us understand the Lost City much better.
The Lost City Museum and Lake Mead
The Lost City Museum was built in 1935. It was created by the National Park Service. The museum's main purpose was to display the artifacts found at Pueblo Grande de Nevada.
However, building Boulder Dam created Lake Mead. This huge lake covered some parts of the pueblo. The most developed sections of the ancient city are now partially underwater. They are about 5 miles south of Overton.
The Pueblo Grande de Nevada site was officially recognized on October 8, 1982. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
