Archeology in New Mexico

Archeology

New Mexico is rich in prehistoric, Native American and Hispanic ruins. Archaeologists have a variety of sites to study throughout the state.

Aztec Ruins National Monument - Near Aztec in northwest New Mexico. Principal ruins: Aztec ruin (400-room, 9-kiva pueblo); restored/ recreated great kiva; several other sites not open to public.

Bandelier National Monument - Near Los Alamos in north-central New Mexico. Principal ruins: Tyuonyi (large pueblo), Long House (cliff dwelling), Ceremonial Cave (and recreated kiva); Stone Lions (still a Indian religious site); Painted Cave.

Casamero Ruins - Near Prewitt in northwest New Mexico. Principal Ruins: small pueblo (occupied 1000-1125 AD) and unexcavated great kiva.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park - Near Nageezi. Principal Ruins: Pueblo Bonito, Great Kiva of Casa Rinconada; Chetro Ketl, Una Vida, Hungo Pavi, Kin Kletso, Casa Chaquita, Pueblo del Arroyo; also Sun Dagger Solar/Lunar Observatory (on Fajada Butte - not accessible); over 3.500 recorded sites (most not accessible).

Coronado State Monument - Near Bernalillo. Principal Ruins: Kuaua Pueblo; reconstructed kiva with murals.

El Morro National Monument - Near Grants. Principal Ruins: Atsinna ruin - originally over 500 rooms, all that's been excavated is around 20 rooms and 2 kivas. Also Inscription Rock (petroglyphs and graffiti dating back over 500 years).

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument - Near Silver City. Principal Ruins: cliff dwellings (about 40 rooms built circa 1270 AD); pit houses dating back to around 300 AD.

Hawikuh Ruin - Near Zuni. Principal Ruins: large in size, but these are mostly collapsed mounds of rubble. Access: obtain permission to visit the site from the Zuni Tribal Office.

Jemez State Monument - In Jemez. Principal Ruins: pueblo mounds plus a church built in 1621, and monastery.

Pecos National Monument - Near Pecos. Principal Ruins: North Pueblo and South Pueblo believed to originally have over 1,000 rooms.

Petroglyph National Monument - Principal Ruins: over 15,000 petroglyphs (most dating from 1300 AD to 1680 AD, but some dating back 3000 years).

Poshuouinge Ruins - Near Albuquerque. Principal Ruins: large pueblo (over 700 ground-floor rooms surrounding 2 large plazas with a large kiva in larger plaza)

Pueblitos of Dinetah - Northeast of Farmington. Principal Ruins: 8 small pueblos dating from 1715 to 1754.

Puye Ruins - Near Santa Clara Pueblo. Principal Ruins: combination of cliff dwellings and mesa top pueblos, closed to the public.

Salinas Pueblo Mission National Monument - Near Mountain Air. Principal Ruins: Gran Quivira, Quarai, Abó.

Salmon Ruin - Near Bloomfield. Principal Ruins: Salmon Ruin (11th Century pueblo and Chacoan outlier).