This Black History Month we want to honor the legacy of George McJunkin, a self-educated ex-enslaved cowboy who made an incredible discovery that would rewrite history.

While working as a foreman at a ranch in Northern New Mexico, he discovered prehistoric bison bones and stone tools after a flood in Folsom, NM. He recognized the importance and left the site generally undisturbed so that it could be properly excavated by archeologists. This discovery proved the antiquity of North America’s native cultures and is considered one of the most significant archeological sites today.

Although rarely credited for his find, it was McJunkin’s knowledge and foresight that made this remarkable discovery possible.

Black History is New Mexico history, is US history, is Human history.

If you’d like to learn more about New Mexico’s Black cowboys and George McJunkin please visit: https://www.archaeologysouthwest.org/2021/03/04/george-mcjunkin-standing-at-the-intersection-of-black-history-and-american-archaeology/