Aztec Ruins West Great Kiva
Aztec Ruins West Great Kiva North Annex · Aztec Site
Neolithic to Iron Age (6000 BCE–500 CE)·Neolithic·🇺🇸 New Mexico, Aztec, United States
About
About Aztec Ruins West Great Kiva
Aztec Ruins West Great Kiva in New Mexico, Aztec, United States is a Neolithic to Iron Age (6000 BCE–500 CE) ancient village attributed to Neolithic. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal site extent 150 × 90 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 36.8350N -108.0000E controls access to New Mexico resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient village for New Mexico, Aztec, illustrating Neolithic construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
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. 4000 BCE–500 CE
- Period
- Neolithic to Iron Age (6000 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Neolithic
- Purpose
- Ceremonial and residential complex
- Rediscovered
- 1970 survey
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 4000 BCE–500 CE
Initial construction of Aztec Ruins West Great Kiva main structure
c. 1910
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1970–2015
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Aztec Ruins West Great Kiva) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
36.8350° N · 108.0000° W · 150 m · 4 mapped features
Aztec Ruins West Great Kiva — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient village — Site extent 150 × 90 m with diagnostic masonry/panel
36.8358° N · 107.9991° WAztec Ruins West Great Kiva — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
36.8340° N · 108.0007° WAztec Ruins West Great Kiva — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
36.8365° N · 107.9988° WAztec Ruins West Great Kiva — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
36.8334° N · 108.0011° W