WACO MAMMOTH
The Texas site (right) is home to remains of the Western camel, giant tortoise, saber-toothed cat and Columbian mammoths–which date back more than 65,000 years.
BASIN AND RANGE
The Nevada province is home to one of the largest collections of prehistoric rock carvings as well as Michael Heizer’s City, one of the world’s largest sculptures.
BERRYESSA SNOW MOUNTAIN
For at least 11,000 years, Native Americans have inhabited the California region, which boasts a large concentration of threatened species.
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Write to Olivia B. Waxman at olivia.waxman@time.com