Awatovi Ruins

Awatovi Ruins is an archaeological complex containing remains of Pueblo structures and a 17th-century Spanish mission in northeastern Arizona. The site shows the physical layout of residential areas, ceremonial spaces, and colonial religious buildings that reveal how this settlement was organized and used.

Spanish explorers reached this Pueblo settlement in the 1540s and established a Catholic mission to convert the Hopi people. The settlement was inhabited for centuries before being abandoned around 1700, likely due to conflicts and religious tension.

The pueblo features preserved kivas and ceremonial chambers where archaeologists uncovered painted murals depicting traditional Hopi religious practices and daily activities.

The site remains closed to the public due to its location on the Hopi Reservation and the need for protection and ongoing research. Visitors interested in the site should inquire with the Hopi cultural authorities about any permitted access or guided tours they may offer.

Excavations in the 1930s uncovered three Franciscan church structures, some extending beyond 100 feet in length. The digs also revealed more than 1,300 residential rooms, showing how densely populated this settlement once was.