A new archaeological study along the historic Route 66 corridor has uncovered evidence of Indigenous communities thriving long before European settlement, challenging long-held assumptions about the region’s early history. Researchers initially sought to document Native American sites tied to trade and agriculture but instead found signs of far more complex, enduring settlements. The findings suggest these lands were not just seasonal gathering grounds but home to established societies with deep cultural roots. The discovery reshapes understanding of how Indigenous peoples shaped the landscape before colonial-era roads like Route 66 were ever built.
Route 66 traverses land where people lived and worked before the birth of America. When researchers looked for their stories, they made an unexpected discovery.
