The Indians of Carlsbad Caverns National Park

The booklet offers an accessible survey of indigenous presence in the Guadalupe Mountains region, tracing archaeological phases from early human arrivals and basketmaker groups to historic Mescalero Apache and Comanche lifeways. It summarizes material culture such as pottery, seasonal calendars, and artifact identification, and discusses social practices, religious beliefs, and patterns of mobility, raiding, and horse culture. Regional interactions, shifting territories, and ethnographic notes are supported by maps, sketches, and a selected bibliography. The text aims to provide a concise, introductory account rather than an exhaustive study.