Aztec Ruins National Monument
Aztec West Ruin · Aztec Ruins
Pueblo II–III 1115–1287 CE (Chacoan 1120–1140; Mesa Verde 1200–1287)·Ancestral Puebloan (Chacoan then Mesa Verdean)·🇺🇸 New Mexico, United States
About
About Aztec Ruins National Monument
Misnamed 12th-century Great House built by Chacoan Ancestral Puebloans (Aztec West, 400 rooms, 3 storeys) and later occupied by Mesa Verdeans: E-shaped pueblo with Great Kiva (14.6 m diameter, reconstructed 1934 by Earl Morris) – the only fully reconstructed great kiva – plus Hubbard Tri-Wall site and Earl Morris great house. Outlier of Chaco system (Chaco Meridian) linked northward; part of Chaco Culture UNESCO extension. Cedar roof beams dated 1115–1287 CE.
Why it mattersNorthernmost Chacoan Great House demonstrating Chaco influence 55 km north of Chaco Canyon and later Mesa Verde reoccupation after Chaco collapse.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why Chacoans built Great House so far north along Chaco Meridian
- 02Why Great Kiva was intentionally filled and sealed upon abandonment
Theories
- 01Aztec as planned northern capital after Pueblo Bonito decline ~1130
- 02Great Kiva closure as termination ritual decommissioning sacred space before migration
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.1111–1200 CE (Aztec West main), occupation to 1287
- Period
- Pueblo II–III 1115–1287 CE (Chacoan 1120–1140; Mesa Verde 1200–1287)
- Culture
- Ancestral Puebloan (Chacoan then Mesa Verdean)
- Purpose
- Northern Chaco outlier Great House and great-kiva ritual center on Chaco Meridian
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.1111–1200 CE (Aztec West main), occupation to 1287
Initial construction
c. 1686 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
36.8318° N · 108.0003° W · 1730 m · 3 mapped features
Aztec West Great House
great houseE-shaped 400-room Chacoan pueblo
36.8318° N · 108.0003° WReconstructed Great Kiva
kiva14.6 m diameter roofed great kiva
36.8322° N · 108.0006° WHubbard Tri-Wall site
ceremonial structureThree-walled ceremonial with tri-wall plan
36.8312° N · 107.9995° W
Gallery