Coronado State Monument, Archaeological site in Bernalillo, New Mexico
Coronado State Monument is an archaeological site containing the remains of Kuaua Pueblo with uncovered wall paintings and artifacts from the pueblo community. The grounds feature reconstructed structures, including a ceremonial chamber, along with recovered items that show how inhabitants lived here over many generations.
The pueblo was home to Tiwa-speaking communities for three centuries before being abandoned in the mid-1600s. The site takes its name from the Spanish explorer whose expedition passed through the region in the 1540s.
The reconstructed painted kiva shows artworks created before Spanish arrival, displaying how the Tiwa people expressed their stories and beliefs through images on the walls. Visitors walking through the chamber can observe the artistic choices and designs that held meaning for the community.
A visitor center with displayed artifacts and explanatory materials helps you understand the site's background before exploring the grounds. The trails are flat and well-marked, allowing you to walk at your own pace while viewing the excavated structures and pueblo remains.
The excavated kivas reveal different floor plans - round, square, and rectangular - reflecting how construction styles changed over generations. These varying shapes show that people adapted their building practices as their community evolved.
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