White Sands: Fossil Tracks/Huellas Fósiles
The human footprints recently discovered in White Sands are dated to be about 23,000 to 21,000 years old. This exhibit showcases detailed information about various sites and the interaction of ancient humans with their environment, especially with the last Ice Age megafauna. On display are two casts and molds of both human and animal prints, created by Fab Lab El Paso, and two real samples of the strata layers, with one of them showing the seeds used to date the foot prints, generously donated by White Sands National Park.
Featured as one of the top ten world archaeological discoveries in 2021 by Archaeology Magazine, it has proven to be crucial in the studies of early human occupation of the Americas, helping us understand that human arrival to the continent clearly happened before the 12,000 B.C. mark. The White Sands National Park discoveries change this, providing footing for more exciting finds in the future.
Image courtesy of White Sands National Park.
Woven Treasures, Baskets from the Museum Collection
This semi-permanent exhibit showcases Native American basketry from the Southwest region as well as pieces from California, The Pacific Northwest, and the state of Chihuahua, Mexico.
Most of the baskets in exhibit date from the late 19th century to the first half of the 20th century and form part of our museum's permanent collection.
From being simply functional to having ceremonial or sacred purpose, we are pleased to honor the basket weavers that have been creating authentic pieces of art since at least 10,000 years ago worldwide.
Apache Baskets, Edward S. Curtis, 1907. Courtesy of American Indian film gallery, culture of Apache tribes and Hopi tribes, https://scalar.usc.edu/works/american-indian-film-archive/apache-arts-and-crafts
Unraveling Mimbres, Redescubriendo Mimbres
Exhibit
February 7 to September 16
Colors of the Desert, Colores del Desierto
Lobby Exhibit
February 14 to September 5