EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, New Mexico, has uncovered a campsite dated to be about 8,200 years old, possibly belonging to the first settlers of New Mexico, according to a news release sent out by the air base.

The official name of the site is LA202921, but its known to the archaeology team as Gomolak Overlook.

The site was found buried about 6 feet below the surface by scientists and members of the 49th Civil Engineer Squadron environmental flight.

Photos courtesy of Holloman Air Force Base

Upon further digging at Gomolak Overlook site, the 49th CES discovered artifacts that provide insight into the Paleo-Archaic inhabitants who resided there around 8,000 years ago.

“The formation of the white sand dunes inadvertently buried the site, with windblown silt protecting the delicate archaeological remains. This site marks a pivotal moment in shedding light on the area’s history and its early inhabitants,” said 49 CES Cultural Resource Manager Matthew Cuba.

The Gomolak Overlook is one of 400 archaeological sites found within Holloman’s vicinity.

“The Department of Defense’s stewardship of vast tracts of land, including areas between White Sands National Park and Holloman, inadvertently protects numerous documented and undocumented archaeological resources,” said Scott Dorton, 49th CES environmental chief. “As a result, some of the best-preserved archaeological records in the Tularosa Basin reside on DoD land.”