Acoma Pueblo — Sky City Mesa Keresan
Acoma Keres (1150–present mesa; 1629 mission)·Keresan Acoma (Sky City)·🇺🇸 New Mexico, Cibola County, Acoma Pueblo, Enchanted Mesa 117 m, United States
About
About Acoma Pueblo — Sky City Mesa Keresan
Acoma excavated by M. Ellis 1960s rim, 1150 occupation Enchanted Mesa ancestor, 1598 Spanish battle. Recorded context — Period: Acoma Keres (1150–present mesa; 1629 mission); Culture: Keresan Acoma (Sky City); Field status: ongoing; Materials: adobe, sandstone mesa, timber; Condition: occupied — UNESCO tentative.
Why it mattersKey Keresan Acoma (Sky City) ancient-village with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Astronomical alignment
- 02Chronology and phasing
Theories
- 01Seasonal gathering
- 02Elite residence
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1150 CE mesa habitation; mission 1629–40 San Esteban del Rey
- Period
- Acoma Keres (1150–present mesa; 1629 mission)
- Culture
- Keresan Acoma (Sky City)
- Purpose
- Mesa-top pueblo on 117 m sandstone mesa (22 ha) — Sky City 400-year mesa fortress with 10 m adobe mission
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1856
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 1150 CE mesa habitation; mission 1629–40 San Esteban del Rey
Initial construction / first occupation at Acoma Pueblo — Sky City Mesa Keresan
1970 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Acoma Pueblo — Sky City Mesa Keresan
On the ground
Structures & features
34.8960° N · 107.5820° W · 2140 m · 3 mapped features
- Acoma Pueblo — Sky City Mesa Keresan — Principal Structurestructurestructure at Acoma Pueblo — Sky City Mesa Keresan — primary structure34.8942° N · 107.5824° W
- Acoma Pueblo — Sky City Mesa Keresan — Northern Complexcomplexcomplex at Acoma Pueblo — Sky City Mesa Keresan — hydraulic feature34.8969° N · 107.5802° W
- Acoma Pueblo — Sky City Mesa Keresan — Southern Rock Artrock artrock art at Acoma Pueblo — Sky City Mesa Keresan — hydraulic feature34.8970° N · 107.5827° W
Gallery