Atari video game burial
Archaeological Site Alamogordo-area landfill site of mass video game burial
Site near Alamogordo, New Mexico where unsold Atari cartridges were buried in 1983 and later excavated; draws pop‑culture fans, documentary crews and curious visitors.
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The Atari video game burial refers to a private landfill site in Alamogordo, New Mexico, where the company Atari disposed of unsold game cartridges in 1983. The event became an urban legend and a notable story in video game history.
The burial site was the focus of a documentary-led excavation in 2014 that recovered a number of cartridges and packaging material, providing physical confirmation of the 1983 disposal. The recovered items included copies of the famously maligned E.T. game among other titles.
Atari arranged for the disposal of unsold inventory in 1983 following commercial and financial difficulties, a fact documented in contemporary reports. The 2014 excavation drew media attention and artifacts from the site have since been studied and exhibited.
The burial occurred at a municipal landfill in Alamogordo, New Mexico; the site is not a conventional tourist attraction and access is restricted as it is on landfill property.
- 2014 excavation: A documentary-led excavation in 2014 exhumed large quantities of Atari cartridges and confirmed the long-standing local account of the 1983 burial.
How to Get to Atari video game burial #
The original burial was in the Alamogordo landfill near White Sands; the exact landfill location and public access are restricted and there is no public monument. For context and exhibits, visit local museums in Alamogordo and the area’s historical societies.
Tips for Visiting Atari video game burial #
- There is no public memorial at the burial site - the original Atari burial took place in a local landfill and was long considered urban legend until parts were excavated in 2014.
- Visit the Alamogordo Museum or related exhibits in New Mexico for context on the 1983 burial and the excavation project.
- If you're interested in the story, read up on the 2014 excavation which confirmed and recovered many cartridges and consoles.
Best Time to Visit Atari video game burial #
If researching the Atari burial story, pair visits to local museums in Alamogordo and plan for cooler months to avoid summer heat.
Weather & Climate near Atari video game burial #
Atari video game burial's climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 35°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 13°C and lows of -3°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 17°C and lows of -1°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 2°C. The driest month with just 6 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 26°C and lows of 6°C. The driest month with just 6 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 11°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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June
June is warm with highs of 35°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 35°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm).
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August
August is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 18°C. The wettest month with 47 mm of rain.
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September
September is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 25°C and lows of 7°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 18°C and lows of 0°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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December
December is the coolest month with highs of 14°C and lows of -3°C. Light rainfall.
