Archaeological Conservancy acquires Pahrump land for preservation

To the untrained eye, the mound of land on the far south end of town looks just like one of the hundreds in and around the Pahrump Valley.

But to Cory Wilkins and Don Hendricks the mound is a prehistoric treasure.

Wilkins is the Western Regional Director of the Archaeological Conservancy, the only national nonprofit organization devoted to identifying, acquiring and preserving some of the nation’s most significant archeological sites in the United States for more than three decades.

This month, the western region of the conservancy acquired the remaining portion of what’s known as the “Mound Spring Preserve” site in Pahrump.

The conservancy acquired the northern portion of the mound about 13 years ago, and has since worked to acquire the remaining southern portion.

Wilkins said after much work, the entire mound will be preserved in perpetuity.

He also spoke about the historical significance of the mounds after traveling to Pahrump from his office in Sacramento.

“The Pahrump Valley historically had what’s called spring mounds where water would come out and create the mounds through the accumulation of minerals,” he said. “Over time, the mounds built up and they were also stops for traveling Native Americans for water.”

According to the conservancy, the Mound Spring Preserve contains a spring mound that was formed over centuries of mineral deposits from the spring seepage.

The water source drew prehistoric populations to the area as evidenced by the presence of pottery fragments and other materials discovered at the mound.

The site may also have been a water stop to more recent travelers like stagecoaches and freight wagons crossing the Pahrump Valley.

In addition, the remains of an historic adobe are present on the newly acquired southern parcel.

Wilkins commended Hendricks on the important role he played in securing the second mound for preservation.

“Don has a very keen interest in local history and he’s is our primary eyes and ears on the ground as far as leading us to new projects and identifying sites for us,” Wilkins said. “As a volunteer, he helps to coordinate things in Pahrump, where it would be tough for me to do from Sacramento.”

For his ongoing efforts, Hendricks received the conservancy’s 2015 Golden Trowel Award for outstanding service and dedication to the organization.

To date, more than 465 endangered sites in 43 states have been preserved for future generations, ranging in size from a couple of acres to more than 1,000 acres, according to the conservancy.

The sites range in age from the earliest habitation sites in North America to a 19thcentury frontier army post.

Examples of other conservancy preserves include California’s Borax Lake site, which encompasses 11,000 years of human occupation.