Archaeology
This exhibit at the ORIGEN Experience is
indicative of the types of Native American
settlements whose remains have been
discovered at the Springs Preserve.
Archaeology at the Springs Preserve documents a broad range of human habitation and land use related to water procurement at the springs.
The earliest archaeological materials are associated with several Native American cultures including ancestral Puebloan, Patayan and Southern Paiute.
The most recent archaeological deposits are historic and relate to the ranching and railroad eras and, more recently, the Las Vegas Valley Water District's use of the land. Many other events in the past have left archaeological signatures at the Preserve.
Knowledge and Collection
Our archaeologists have researched historic documents and collected oral histories to better understand and interpret the past. We research historic records related to land ownership and employment records as well as photographs, drawings and maps depicting early Las Vegas and the springs. Oral histories allow us to collect memories from individuals who have a connection to the springs. These oral recollections are combined with historic and archaeological data to further our understanding of how different peoples have used, owned or restricted access to the water.
The Nevada State Historic Preservation Office awarded the Springs Preserve a Nevada Historic Preservation Award in 2008 for the "exemplary sensitivity" shown to the prehistoric and historic resources during its development.
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