Aztec Ruins National Monument , archaeological site in northwest New Mexico , United States It is located on the Animas River in the city of Aztec, about 10 miles south of State line from Colorado . The National Monument was erected in 1923 and labeled a World Heritage Site in 1987 (along with the Chaco Culture National Historical Park in the south). It has an area of about 320 hectares (130 acres).
Archaeological work began in 1916. Under the direction of Earl H. Morris of New Yorker American Museum of Natural History the true history of the Aztec ruins has been uncovered. The site was built by early white settlers incorrectly as aztec view and indeed contains the ruins of a 12th century The Pueblo settlement of ancestors was built by people associated with Chaco Canyon to the south. The ancestral Pueblo people, formerly known as Anasazi , were ancestors of the modern Pueblo Indians . They lived in Pueblos , multi-story communal dwellings constructed of sandstone, mud, and stone. Pueblos consisted of numerous rooms and housed hundreds of people. Wooden ladders were used to reach the upper levels. The site was used by people related to today's Mesa Verde National Parks (in Northwestern Southwestern Colorado) from 13th century related, and was abandoned around 1300.
In the Aztec ruins, which are approximately 2 miles long and 1 mile wide, are multi-story " big houses” and smaller pueblos. The Open to visitors, the western ruins once had more than 500 rooms in an open space (many of which still have their original have wooden roofs) and artifacts, which gave a glimpse into the life of the Pueblo ancestors. The west ruin also houses the 15 meter diameter Great Kiva, reconstructed by Morris in 1934. The Kiva , a circular underground structure used for Ceremonies in the Municipality was central to the Pueblo culture the ancestors . Many artifacts are on display in the visitor center. The big Navajo Arizona, New Mexico and Utah Reservation is to the west of the site.