Agave, and the related succulents lechuguilla and sotol, are the ancient touchstones of human life in our region. The continent's oldest known “earth oven” was found south of Alpine – proof that Indigenous people have been baking agave here – and rendering its otherwise toxic bulbs edible and sweet – since the Ice Age. Agave is sacred in Native traditions – in Chihuahua, the Tarahumara call it “the first plant God created.” And its sacred significance endures in our region – the Mescalero Apache hold annual “mescal roasts” as part of coming-of-age rituals for young women.

Archeologist Myles Miller, with a dedicated crew, recently completed an extensive study of “p... Hosted by for KRTS