• Bandelier Sunset      Bandelier National Monument
National Monument New Mexico  Ancestral Pueblo People - Vital
Statistics  grinding corn  Hours spent kneeling and grinding
corn took their toll on Ancestral Pueblo knees and arms.  NPS
Photo by Sally King  The average Ancestral Pueblo man was 5'5"
tall while the average woman was 5'. The average size for people
in Europe was approximately the same.  The average lifespan was
35 years; however, infant mortality rates were high. A large
percentage of children never made it past 2 years of age. There
would have been individuals who survived into their 50's and
60's but they would not be among the majority.  Bad teeth and
arthritis were common ailments. It was not uncommon for women to
die in childbirth. Evidence suggests that injured persons were
nursed and supported by the community.  Did You Know?  Pinon
cone with nuts  Pinon nuts are rich in vitamins, flavor, and
calories (3,000 per pound). Although produced in abundance only
every 7 to 10 years, these n