Aztec Ruins NP

Aztec Ruins are not actually Aztec ruins, but the 19th century white guys who found, restored, and named them didn't know any better. They are actually pre-Puebloan (what used to be called Anasazi) structures built and occupied between about 1100 and 1300. Pots and other artifacts found there suggest that the earlier occupation was related to Chaco Canyon (to the south), and in later years more related to Mesa Verde (to the NW) - both of those sites are of course much bigger, but this one was still quite nifty. Although this site is only about 35 miles away, we had never been there until our impromptu picnic on Sunday.



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