San Lazaro archaeological site

San Lazaro archaeological site spans a large area along the Galisteo River basin with several settlement blocks containing thousands of ancient rooms. The grounds also feature a mountaintop ceremonial area that shows how residents separated everyday living spaces from sacred places.

The site became home to Tanoan peoples during Spanish colonial times starting in the 16th century, until they were displaced following the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. This upheaval ended a long period of habitation and scattered the community that had lived there.

The site displays residential buildings, kilns, and water channels that show how Puebloan communities organized their daily life and work. These structures reveal their skills in craftsmanship and the close bonds that held families and neighbors together.

Access requires advance arrangements and is typically guided to protect the fragile remains scattered across the grounds. Visitors should prepare for uneven terrain and heat while bringing proper footwear and water.

Research here has uncovered evidence of sustained interactions between Pueblo peoples and Spanish colonizers over two centuries. These findings challenge earlier ideas about separate cultures and reveal instead how these two worlds engaged with each other in complex ways.