Peterson Sorenson
Colorado has layers of history hiding beneath the surface, and archaeologists have been discovering mind-blowing finds. Some discoveries answered big questions, others raised even bigger ones, and a few left experts completely stumped. So, if you thought Colorado’s past was all gold rush and cowboys, think again—these ten finds prove there’s way more to the story. Let’s start digging!
Ancient Puebloan Calendar Petroglyphs
Long before clocks or calendars, the Ancestral Puebloans used the sun to track time. At Castle Rock Pueblo, spirals carved into rock, discovered in 2023, mark solstices and equinoxes. As the sun moves, its light and shadows align with the carvings to create a natural calendar.
Snowmastodon Ice Age Fossils
Beneath a Colorado ski resort, an ancient world remained hidden for thousands of years. That changed in 2010 when construction crews at Snowmass Village uncovered over 5,000 fossils. These remains, dating back 120,000 years, offer a rare look at Colorado’s prehistoric wildlife and climate.
Magic Mountain Archaeological Site
People have lived in Colorado for thousands of years, and Magic Mountain proves it. Buried beneath the foothills near Golden, this site holds 7,000 years of history. Archaeologists have uncovered stone tools, fire pits, and trade goods, showing it was more than a campsite—it was a thriving gathering place.
Joe Ben Wheat Site Complex
This settlement, excavated by archaeologist Joe Ben Wheat, housed over 100 rooms. Built between A.D. 675 and 1300, its artifacts reveal advanced farming and an interconnected society. The sheer scale of the ruins offers a glimpse into the everyday lives of people who shaped the Southwest’s ancient civilizations.
Heleocola Piceanus
Teeth don’t lie. A single fossilized jawbone, unearthed in 2024, identified a mammal that lived alongside dinosaurs 70 million years ago. Nicknamed the “swamp dweller,” Heleocola piceanus was small, but its discovery helped scientists reconstruct Colorado’s prehistoric ecosystems before the asteroid hit.
Sun Temple
Built with precision yet never completed, this D-shaped structure raises more questions than answers. Constructed around 1250 A.D., it suggests Ancestral Puebloans followed celestial cycles. Why was it abandoned? Some speculate societal shifts. However, the truth remains buried in the sandstone ruins.
Canyons Of The Ancients
Ancestral Puebloans built homes, carved petroglyphs, and gathered in kivas across 176,000 acres, making Canyons of the Ancients one of the most archaeologically dense sites in the U.S. With over 8,000 ruins, it preserves evidence of farming, trade, and daily life—still standing in their original locations.
Franktown Cave
Franktown Cave holds some of Colorado’s most unique archaeological finds. Artifacts such as seashells and minerals from distant regions indicate that trade networks extended far beyond Colorado. Hence, this site provides one of the most detailed records of early inhabitants.
Indian Mountain Stone Circles
Rocks don’t move themselves. Ancient builders placed these stone circles near Lyons, Colorado, over 1,500 years ago. Archaeologists discovered pottery fragments and fire pits, proving that Plains and Woodland cultures gathered here. Plus, each formation reveals movement patterns and early survival strategies.
Dinosaur Tracks
Dinosaurs walked through Picketwire Canyon 150 million years ago, leaving behind the largest track site in North America. Some tracks measure over three feet across. Unlike fossilized bones, footprints capture moments in time and further reveal how these creatures actually lived.
