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Historic Background

Although there had been interest in Tijeras Pueblo archaeological site for decades, including minor excabations in the early 20th centry, the most notable research was conducted by the summer field schools of the Department of Anthropology at the University of New Mexico from 1971 though 1976. Led by Dr. Linda S. Cordell, director of the field school from 1974 through 1976, the excavation of approximately one=third of the pueblo provided numerous artifacts, including, but not limited to lithic artifacts, pottery, wood specimens, faunal and plant remains and some skeletal remains. Upon completion of the field work, the site was backfilled to protect it from the elements, as well as looters. The book Tijeras Canyon - Analyses of the Past edited by Linda cordell, (c) 1980 by the University of New Mexico Press, provides an account of the excavation and subsequent related analyses. We hope and intend that the Tiujeras Pueblo Museum will become an integral part of continued site analysis. For more information on the museum, visit our Museum page of this website.

Prehistoric Background

Tijeras Pueblo had two main construction phases. Tree-ring dates place occupation of the site from AD 1313 to approximately 1425. There is speculation that these peoples were part of the general migration from the Four Corners area (NM, AZ, UT, CO) but there is no evidence to solidly identify any exact previous originating settlement. Tijeras Pueblo was initially built in the first part of the 14th century to include a main structure consisting of 200 rooms arrangd in a U-shape. A large round kiva was built a short distance from the main pueblo rooms. The kiva may have also served members of nearby communities as well as the local village since it is larger than what would usually be constructed for the size of this village. Archaeological evidence indicates that Tijeras Pueblo was at least partially depopulated in the latter part of the century--perhaps half-occupied at around 1360. Many adobe walls from the earlier occupation, in a state of neglect, succombed to weathering and dissolved into the earth. Around 1390, construction took up again. This growing "occupation," however, was on a smaller scale than the original. Here, rectanfular kivas were incorporate with this "new" construction. The inhabitants continued living here until about 1425, at which time the Pueblow was effectively abandoned. The reasons the population left the site may have been due to drought and related land-use issues. The picture below is taken from an interpretive sign originally placed at the foot of the mound for better envisioning how the construction evolved in time and use.
Ceramics
Artifacts collected represent a broad variety of pottery traditions.
Ceremonial Spaces
The site contains both round and rectangular kivas.
Dendochronology
Hundreds of tree ring dates obtained from well preserved construction wood found in situ.
Building Styles
Both coursed adobe and masonry used throughout the occupation period.
Turkeys
Evidence of domesticated turkeys kept in rooms as well as outdoor enclosures.
Ancestral Origins
This site is considered to be an ancestral site by some Pueblo of Isleta families and others.
Tiwa
This site is likely to have been primarily Tiwa.
Artifacts Database
A data base of artifacts with links to a map of roomblocks.
National Register
Admitted to the National Register of Historic Places listing since 2005.

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