Pueblos of the United States - Inhabited, Archeological Sites, and Ruins

Pueblos, Ancient & Modern - Page 3

Santa Ana Pueblo, Bernalillo, New Mexico - The pueblo was established in the late 1500’s by Keresan-speaking Pueblo Indians and first called Tamaya, but were forced to submit to Spanish rule in 1598 and renamed. Today, the Santa Ana Pueblo lands cover 73,000 acres east and west of the Río Grande River and are home to about 500 residents. Today, the community has become a bit of a resort, which includes a golf course, casino, and other recreational activities. However, they also provide a view of their traditional ceremonial dances several times throughout the year. Pueblo of Santa Ana, 2 Dove Road, Bernalillo, New Mexico 87004; 505-771-6700.

Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico - Established in about 1550, the pueblo is a member of the Northern Pueblos of the Tewa speaking Pueblo Indians. They first inhabited the Puyé Cliff Dwellings in Santa Clara Canyon until such time as drought forced the villagers to leave to their current location nearer the Rio Grande River.

Santa Clara Indians 1906

Today the Santa Clara Indians are noted for their pottery, and provide recreational opportunities as well as tours to the ancient 740-room Puye Cliff Dwellings. The pueblo is located about one miles south of Española, New Mexico on N.M. 30. Visitors to the pueblo must check in at the governor’s office, where photography, sketching and video recording permits are available throughout most of the year, with the exception of feast days. Santa Clara Pueblo, P.O. Box 580, Española, New Mexico 87532; 505-753-7326.

Taos Pueblo, New Mexico - Just two miles north of the city of Taos, New Mexico, stands the centuries old Taos Pueblo, one of the longest continually inhabited communities in the United States. Originally settled about 1,000 years ago by Tiwa-speaking Pueblo Indians, the pueblo appears today much like it did centuries ago. Over the centuries, the pueblo was seen many battles, but today continues to stand as a World Heritage Site, a National Historic Landmark, and its northern pueblo, one of the most photographed buildings in the Western Hemisphere. Admission and camera fees are charged, and no pictures may be taken on ceremonial days. Contact information: Taos Pueblo, Taos, New Mexico, 575-758-1028.

Little has changed at the Taos Pueblo in the last

century, September, 2008, Kathy Weiser.

Tesuque Pueblo, New Mexico - Located in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Tesuque Pueblo has stood on its present location since 1200 A.D. As such, it is one of the more traditional pueblos and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was deeply involved in the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. The Tesuque Pueblo, comprised of about 400 residents, is one of the most traditional of all New Mexico pueblos in observing ceremonies and preserving culture. The pueblo is closed to the public on certain days of the year so call ahead before visiting. The pueblo is located about 10 miles north of Santa Fe off U.S. 84-285. Tesuque Pueblo, Rt. 5, Box 360-T, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87506; 800-483-1040 or 505-983-2667/988-3620.

Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, Texas - Also called the Tigua Pueblo, these people were originally from the Isletta Pueblo in New Mexico. During the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, the Tiwa speaking Pueblo Indians were captured and marched to a new location near El Paso, Texas. A new pueblo was established in 1682, and since then, the tribe has retained a significant presence in the El Paso region that helped pave the way for the development of the area. The pueblo is one of three federally recognized tribes located in Texas and the only Pueblo located in the state. The Tigua maintain their traditional political system and ceremonial practices and continues to flourish as a Pueblo community. Tribal enrollment is over 1,600 citizens. The site currently features a museum, shops, and ceremonies that are open to the public. Contact information: Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, 305 Yaya Lane, Ysleta, Texas 79907; 915-859-7913.

Zia Pueblo, New Mexico - Located north of Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Keresan-speaking pueblo has been occupied continuously since about 1250 A.D. Once one of the largest of the Rio Grande River pueblos with eight plazas and 6,000 people, the pueblo has decreased in size to a population of less than 700 today. The Zia sun symbol was adopted by the state of New Mexico and appears on the state flag.

La Mision de Corpus Christi de San Antonio de la Ysleta del Sur,

Kathy Weiser, February, 2008.

The community provides for a tribal museum, Zia Lake, Zia Cultural Center, as well as shops that feature their well-known pottery. Visitors are welcome at the annual feast day in August, but no cameras, sketchings or recordings are allowed. The pueblo is located 17 miles northwest of Bernalillo and eight miles northwest of Santa Ana Pueblo on U.S. 550. The pueblo can be visited daily from dawn to dusk; closed during some religious ceremonies. Contact information: Zia Pueblo, 135 Capital Square Dr., Zia Pueblo, New Mexico 87053-6013; 505-867-3304.

Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico - The largest of the 19 New Mexico pueblos, with more than 700 square miles and a population of over 10,000, the Zuni are considered the most traditional of all the Pueblo peoples, speaking a unique language and having a dissimilar culture and history that resulted, in part, from geographic isolation. The Zuni Pueblo of Hawikuh, one of six historic Zuni pueblos, was the first to be discovered by Spanish explorers in the 1500's.

Zuni Pueblo, 1873

This photo available for photographic prints HERE!

These pueblos, seen from afar, gave credence to the Spanish legend of the seven gold Cities of Cíbola, which led Coronado on his 1540 to 1542 expedition into the Southwest. More Spanish expeditions eventually led to the ultimate conquering of the pueblos. Today the pueblo incorporates adobe house blocks, modern sandstone dwellings, plazas, hornos (outdoor baking ovens), traditional "waffle gardens," named for their unique irrigation system; and corrals. Zuñi Pueblo is among the largest of the still inhabited or "living" pueblos in the United States. It also features the Hawikuh ruins, abandoned during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, as well as craftsmen shops, and multiple events throughout the year. Zuñi Pueblo is on the Zuni Indian Reservation, two miles north of Zuni, New Mexico, on NM 53. Visitors are welcome daily from dawn to dusk. Photography is allowed by permission only. Contact information: Pueblo of Zuni, 1203B NM Highway 53, PO Box 339, Zuni, New Mexico 87327; 505-782-7000.

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