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Calico Early Man Archaeological Site Review

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Calico Early Man Archaeological Site

Address: Off I-15, Minneola Rd. exit, 15 mi northeast of Barstow, Barstow, CA | Map It
Phone: 760/254-2248
www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/barstow/calico.html

Category: Archaeological Sites
Location: Barstow

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Fodor's Review:

The earliest-known Americans fashioned the artifacts buried in the walls and floors of the pits at Calico Early Man Archaeological Site. Nearly 12,000 stone tools—used for scraping, cutting, and gouging—have been excavated here. The apparent age of some of these items (said to be as much as 200,000 years old) contradicts the dominant archaeological theory that humans populated North America only 13,000 years ago. Noted archaeologist Louis Leakey was so impressed with the Calico site that he became its director in 1963 and served in that capacity until his death in 1972. His old camp is now a visitor center and museum. The only way into the site is by guided tour (call ahead, as scheduled tours sometimes don't take place).

Cost: $5
Open: Visitor center Wed. 12:30-4:30, Thurs.-Sun. 9-4:30; tours Wed. 1:30 and 3:30, Thurs.-Sun. 9:30, 11:30, 1:30, and 3:30

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