Lincoln Lecture: Prehistoric Lifeways of Lincoln County

Join us for a special Lincoln Lecture Series during Old Lincoln Days. Two speakers will share about fascinating topics in the iconic San Juan Bautista Church. Learn about New Mexico’s rich history at these engaging events. This month’s program is by Lisa L. Sparks who will discuss the "Prehistoric Lifeways of Lincoln County, New Mexico."

In the 19th century archaeologists began reporting on Lincoln County sites that dated to the Archaic, Mogollon, and Apache occupations (7000 BC-AD 1400). Changes in technology and structure types have helped to distinguish patterns of cultural utilization of the landscape through time. Through the scientific study of sites such as Bonnell, Angus, Phillips, Lower Stanton Ruin, and Feather Cave we have a better understanding of how the mountain ecology was incorporated into the regional systems of each period. The ongoing study of archaeology around Sierra Blanca has shown that it had a unique cultural expression that centered on the mountains and their plentiful natural resources. Incorporating the new information from sites such as LA 199588 and new discoveries in 2024 near the Torreon has expanded our understanding of past cultures and how the landscape was inhabited.

Lisa L. Sparks has been working as an archaeologist for 15 years in New Mexico and the greater Southwest. She is an active member of the Jornada Research Institute and teaches part-time at ENMU-Ruidoso to expand the interest of archaeology to the community. Through her career as a Cultural Resources Specialist she works to protect the sites of significance and mitigate the impacts large scale projects have on resources. Her research interests include the hunter gatherer lifeways and how the gendered division of labor can be seen through archaeological studies.

Lincoln Lecture Series is included with admission of $7/adults and free to children 16 years and younger.