Aztec Ruins National Monument
In Aztec, New Mexico is the Aztec Ruins National Monument. This large Ancestral Pueblo great house was named by the Spanish who apparently named things Aztec because they had no idea who was actually what. It was settled by the same group of people who lived in what is now the Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
The site contains a reconstructed great kiva directly atop where its ruins were excavated. The design of the kiva is based upon how archaeologists believe it would have appeared.
There are also a series of interior rooms that you can walk through which contain original ceiling wood from 1,000 years ago! Other interesting features include parts of original window shades / curtains made out of wood which were left in place when the residents left.
Read MoreThe site contains a reconstructed great kiva directly atop where its ruins were excavated. The design of the kiva is based upon how archaeologists believe it would have appeared.
There are also a series of interior rooms that you can walk through which contain original ceiling wood from 1,000 years ago! Other interesting features include parts of original window shades / curtains made out of wood which were left in place when the residents left.