Aztec Ruins, embodying the architecture and building techniques of over 1000 years ago, preserves the ruins of the largest pre-Spanish villages of the southwest."
Established as a national monument in 1923, the ruins originally contained at least 500 rooms, housing about 800 Indians. The Pueblo was originally constructed in the early 100's by people of the Chaco Culture, who abandoned it before..."
Aztec Ruins National Monument near Aztec, New Mexico is visited by thousands of people annually who come to examine the work of a stone-age Indian civilization."
Showing the three Kivas and the northwest corner of the ruins. The first written record of these Ruins was made in 1859, although extensive and scientific excavations were not made until 1916 to 1921 by the American Museum of Natural History."
A round shaped building with a square extension, 5 windows and 8 roof poles visible around the outer circular portion is prominently featured in the foreground to the right. Beyond it lies a circular structure, then a grid of square shaped rooms 2 deep.
Six adults and five children walk along a trail, reading a posted sign or looking at the remaining stone walls that outline the rooms and kivas of the site.