Aztec Ruins National Monument

The Aztec Ruins National Monument in northwestern New Mexico, United States, consists of preserved structures constructed by the Pueblo Indians. The national monument lies on the western bank of the Animas River in Aztec, New Mexico, about Template:Convert northeast of Farmington. Additional Puebloan structures can be found in Salmon Ruins and Heritage Park, Template:Convert south. Archaeological evidence puts the construction of the ruins in the 12th and 13th centuries. The Puebloan-built ruins were dubbed the "Aztec Ruins" by 19th century American settlers who misattributed their construction to the Aztecs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The site was declared "Aztec Ruin National Monument" on January 24, 1923. "Ruin" was changed to "Ruins" after a boundary change, on July 2, 1928. As a historical property of the National Park Service, the monument was administratively listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) listed the Chaco Culture as a World Heritage Site on December 8, 1987. That listing specifically included the Aztec Ruins.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The monument is on the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway, one of New Mexico's Scenic Byways.<ref>Trail of the Ancients. Template:Webarchive New Mexico Tourism Department. Retrieved August 14, 2014.</ref>

The property was part of a 160-acre (65 ha) homestead owned by H.D. Abrams, who supported the preservation of the ruins. The H.D. Abrams House in Aztec is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Climate

The climate of Aztec Ruins National Monument is a typical semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSk). Template:Weather box

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in San Juan County, New Mexico
• List of national monuments of the United States
• List of the oldest buildings in New Mexico

External links

• "The National Parks: Index 2001–2003". Washington, D. C., United States Department of the Interior
• National Park Service website
• American Southwest, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary
• UNESCO World Heritage site
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