Lewisville Prehistoric Site
Lewisville, Denton County, Texas
Marker Inscription
During the construction of Lewisville Dam in 1950, a number of aboriginal artifacts were unearthed; archeologists conducted several excavations (1952-57) before the waters of Garza-Little Elm Reservoir covered the site. The excavations revealed 21 hearths, vegetable matter, animal bone fragments and lignite (coal) which was used for fuel. Scientific radiocarbon dating techniques indicate the organic material is approximately 12,000 years old. The Lewisville discoveries are similar in age and content to findings at the Clovis site in New Mexico. (1980)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
When the Lewisville Dam went up in 1950, workers turned up ancient artifacts, and archaeologists raced to excavate before the reservoir drowned the site. Their digs uncovered 21 hearths along with animal bone, plant remains, and lignite burned for fuel—material that radiocarbon dating placed at roughly 12,000 years old. The finds closely resembled those at the Clovis site in New Mexico, tying this Texas ground to some of the earliest known peoples of North America.
Why it matters
It marks evidence of Ice Age humans in Texas, part of the deep Paleo-Indian story that pushes American history back thousands of years before written record.
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Related events
- · Lewisville Dam construction
Themes & tags
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