Acoma enchants

Beauty. Culture. Art....For More Than Two Thousand Years.

Sky City Cultural Center and Haak'u Museum rich in cultural architecture, serves as the reception center and museum for visitors to the Pueblo of Acoma. It's part of New Mexico's cultural heritage, as the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in North America and the 28th Historic Site designated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Acoma history is also the story of the Southwest, from its initial role as the home to the Anasazi people, to the thirteenth century founding of the Pueblo, which is still alive and well as a community and touchstone for Native Americans in the area and nationwide.

Robert was our guide: funny, smart and tribal member. He is standing in front of the mission that Spanish invaders forced the community to build over a sacred kiva.

Something has to said about this image: photos of the cemetery or its walls are forbidden but porta-potties are ubiquitous throughout the village and this shot seems to say it well.

Enchanted Mesa was the first home to the Acoma culture

15 to 20 families live atop the mesa year round

The village was rebuilt after Spanish cannons leveled it and vanquished the population. Some original emplacements can be seen under newer adobe: a material introduced by the invading forces led by catholic friars. That's Mt. Taylor deeper in the shot.