Puye Cliff Dwellings, Native American archaeological complex in Santa Clara Canyon, New Mexico
The Puye Cliff Dwellings feature two distinct levels of carved dwellings extending over one mile along soft volcanic tuff cliffs rising 200 feet above ground level.
The settlement emerged in the late 1200s, housing approximately 1500 inhabitants until 1580, when prolonged drought forced residents to relocate near the Rio Grande valley.
The Santa Clara Pueblo people maintain direct ancestral connections to these dwellings, where their predecessors developed sophisticated architectural and agricultural practices.
Visitors access the site through guided tours departing every 30 minutes from 8:30 AM, with options including the Cliffside Tour and Mesa Top Tour.
The complex contains 740 rooms carved into volcanic rock formations, connected by twelve ancient stairways and ladders integrated into the cliff face.
Location: New Mexico
GPS coordinates: 35.97560,-106.22800
Latest update: May 11, 2025 07:10
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