A local landmark has been selected by the Smithsonian as one of the top five places to see evidence of ancient humans.

Lubbock Lake Landmark was chosen by the museum for its exhibit, hiking trail, and interpretive center to learn about the first humans to settle on the South Plains 10,000 years ago.

“National recognition of our public programs at the landmark in a publication that is global in extent greatly serves to build on the international research reputation of the Landmark,” said Eileen Johnson, executive director for the Museum of Texas Tech University and director of the landmark.

“The designation acknowledges that we are doing good things at the landmark to engage the public in the early cultural heritage of the region that is significant on the national level. Increase in public awareness is always a good thing and generally leads to greater numbers of visitors and more outreach opportunities.”

Other sites listed include Meadowcroft Rock Shelter in Avella, Penn.; Blackwater Draw National Historic Landmark in New Mexico, Mastadon State Historic Site in Imperial, Mo., and Murray Spring Paleo-Indian Site in Sierra Vista, Ariz.

Lubbock Lake Landmark is a unit of the Texas Tech Museum. To read the full story from the Smithsonian, visit Smithsonian.com.