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Aztec Ruins

National Monument

New Mexico

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Photo of reconstructed ruins at Aztec Ruins National Monument
Aztec Ruins Naitonal Monument, New Mexico

Aztec Ruins is located midway between two other famous Anasazi ruins - Chaco Canyon 65 miles to the south and Mesa Verde 40 miles northwest. The name of Aztec Ruins is actually misleading because the ruins were not actually built by the Aztecs of central Mexico. In fact, the Aztecs lived centuries after the rise and fall of this Anasazi town. Misled Anglo settlers, inspired by tales of the Aztecs and Cortez named the ruins and the nearby town after the Aztecs.

The first recorded visitor to the ruins was a geologist by the name of Dr. John Newberry in 1859. He found the pueblo to be in fair state of preservation. Because no one had really been there, most of the ruins were intact with some walls reaching 25 feet high and some rooms completely undisturbed. Sadly, Dr. Newberry neglected to uncover a lot of the ruins and they were left susceptible to looting. It was not until 1889 that the ruins came under private ownership and the looting ceased.

The ruins are situated in a dry area of northern New Mexico. The main feature which made the ruins liveable is their proximity to the Animas River. This river flows year round across the plains and near the ruins flows through a lush valley which made fertile lands available to farmers who wished to raise crops nearby. The fertile lands supported large populations in the area during ancient times.

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A geology photo album for this park can be found here.


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Lillie, Robert J., 2005.
W.W. Norton and Company.
ISBN 0-393-92407-6



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NPS Geology and Soils Partners

NRCS logoAssociation of American State Geologists
NRCS logoGeological Society of America
NRCS logoNatural Resource Conservation Service - Soils
USGS logo U.S. Geological Survey

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Aztec Ruins National Monument welcomes and encourages teachers and students to use the monument as an "outdoor classroom." Rangers are willing to assist teachers as much as our limited staff allows.


updated on 01/04/2005  I   http://www2.nature.nps.gov/geology/parks/azru/index.cfm   I  Email: Webmaster
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