Aztec Ruins National Monument•New Mexico

Aztec Ruins National Monument is a destination that must be included on the list when planning a native heritage tour of the west. This ancient great house pueblo is located in the Four Corners region of New Mexico near the Colorado Border. The Four Corners region is an intriguing area of archeological study that includes native heritage sites in the Canyons Of The Ancients, Hovenweep, Mesa Verde and Ute Mountain. Chaco Canyon is also part of the overall picture, because the long arms of this ancient civilization stretch all the way into this region. As can be imagined, there will be plenty to ponder over when doing the tour and the discoveries found along the way will help to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

The Salmon Ruins and Aztec Ruins are only about 10 miles apart and how these two ancient pueblos fit into the overall picture will not be readily apparent without doing some prior research. It is easy to assume that these two great house communities are isolated villages of their own or they are somehow connected with the nearby Mesa Verde civilizations, but there is a less obvious connection to consider. The Chaco Culture was renowned for their vast agricultural system, which was highly organized complete with long roads connecting several satellite pueblos. Recent research material confirms that the Aztec Ruins and Salmon Ruins actually are Chaco Culture satellite pueblos and the architectural design lends to this theory.

The Aztec Ruins is a large pueblo complex complete with over 400 rooms, several ceremonial kivas and a grand kiva. The layout and artifacts confirm this was an agricultural and ceremonial center, as well as headquarters for regional commerce and trade. The Aztec Pueblo certainly was a bustling community long ago and the reason why it was abandoned is still not clearly understood. Most agree that successive years of severe drought caused the inhabitants to disperse and move on, but nobody really knows for sure.  

The Aztec Ruins is one of the most well preserved Chaco Culture structures and it has a completely restored grand kiva. A grand kiva is a large round structure that serves as ceremonial center, which compares to a communal church, temple or place of healing. For the most part, only the imagination can provide clues as to what a  grand kiva actually used to look like inside when only eroded stone block masonry remains. The Aztec Ruins Grand Kiva restoration was accurately accomplished and the remarkable original interior design is on full display. Slaked lime coats the stone walls to create a smooth white surface and the timbers are intact.  

The multi story great house pueblo structure offers a unique experience that can be found in few other ancient pueblos. The lower floor rooms and the long passageway have remained intact, so visitors can experience what it was like to reside inside this building. The windows looking outside have offered the same views for over a thousand years and it is easy to gaze into the ancient past.

The Aztec Ruins certainly is a great house pueblo like no other and doing a ranger guided tour will greatly enhance the learning experience. Self guided tour books are available in the gift shop, which also serves as a cultural museum. It only takes a few hours to tour this pueblo complex, so it is possible to check out the neighboring Salmon Ruins during the same trip. The shade of the cottonwood trees certainly are alluring for a picnic and there will be plenty to ponder over for years to come. The Aztec Ruins is just one piece of the big puzzle, yet it is one of the most important archaeological sites in this region, so be sure to chalk this destination high on the list!