Day 56: Aztec National Monument
Trip Start
Jun 21, 2008
1
36
42
Trip End
Ongoing
Aztec,
New Mexico,
United States
Friday, August 15, 2008
Drove to Aztec Ruins NM, about 30 minutes away. We drove past it on Wednesday on our way to Durango, but it was too late to stop. It was very interesting. It was mistakenly labeled as Aztec Ruins when it was discovered - and the name has struck. They are ruins of a pueblo people. Archeologists are not sure why the people left this area - some speculate drought.
Interesting multi-level homes surrounding the Kiva. You could walk thru some of the homes and inside the reconstructed Kiva. This is the only fully reconstructed Kiva.
Outside the Visitor Center was an artist couple from the Acoma Pueblo near Albuquerque demonstrating and selling their traditional hand-built pottery. We saw a lot of items that we thought were very beautiful, and ended up purchasing a large plate and small lizard seed pot. Very excited! Our first souvenir. Their prices were very reasonable. We are very excited! We hope to stop at the Acoma Pueblo when we go to Albuerquerque.
