Archeology: Aztec Ruins National Mounument, Bandelier National Monument, Casamero Pueblo Ruins, Chaco Cultural National Historic Park, Coronado State Monument, El Morro National Monument, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Hawikuh Ruin, Jemez State Monument, Pecos National Monument, Petrogyph National Monument, Poshuouinge Ruins, Pueblitos of Dinetah, Puye Ruins, Salinas Pueblo Mission National Monument, Salmon Ruin
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).
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