Pecos National Historical Park
All around the four corners area are many ancestral Pueblo villages dating from before Christ's birth, up to about 1700. The Pecos Pueblo was occupied from about 1350 to 1838. Located on the busy trade route between the people of Rio Grande Valley farming to the west and the Plains peoples to the east, Pecos grew to over a population of over 2,000. Spanish conquistadors, led by Coronado arrived at Pecos Pueblo in 1541 in search of the legendary seven cities of gold. After having found no gold, he moved on.
We joined a ranger led walk around the Pueblo and Mission Ruins Trail.
This is one of the few Kivas that had been fully restored, including the roof.
The tour took us down into the Kiva.
Foundations of the pueblo, some of which rose four to five stories.
While trying to convert the people of Pecos, in 1610, the Franciscan Friars destroyed kivas, smashed statues and banned Pueblo ceremonies and language.
With Pecos labor the friars built a very elaborate mission church.
By 1680 the Pecos people executed a successful revolt and drove the Spanish out, destroying the church and providing them with about 12 years of peace before the Spanish returned.
The Spanish settlement was separate and located near the mission.
Coronado State Historic Site
Kuaua Pueblo is located within the current city of Bernalillo, just north of Albuquerque.
This site was occupied from 1325 until the 1930's.
The walls were constructed of earthen bricks rather than rocks and stones.
1 comment:
Walking around old ruins is so amazing.
It's hard to imagine living during those times.
Very interesting!
Post a Comment