Our story
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Historic Background
Although there has been interest in Tijeras Pueblo archaeological site for decades, including minor excavations in the early 20th century, 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. Dr. Linda S. Cordell, directed the field schools beginning in 1974. Excavation of approximately one third of the pueblo locale yielded 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 and possible looters. The book Tijeras Canyon - Analyses of the Past edited by Linda Cordell, (c) 1980, 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 research and discovery. For more information on the museum, visit the Museum page on 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 arranged 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 have been 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, succumbed to weathering and dissolved into the earth. Around 1390, construction resumed. This rebuilding was on a smaller scale than the original. Here, rectangular kivas were incorporated into this "new" construction. The inhabitants continued living here until about 1425, at which time the Pueblo 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 to better envision how the construction evolved in time and use.
