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Aztec Ruins Box LbNA #47971

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Jun 6, 2009
Location:
City:Aztec
County:San Juan
State:New Mexico
Boxes:1
Planted by:Aspen
Found by: Wronghat
Last found:Dec 26, 2010
Status:FFFFFFa
Last edited:Jun 6, 2009
There is a $5 entrance fee into Aztec Ruins

The Aztec Ruins National Monument is an archaeological site located on the Animas River, 2 miles north of Aztec, New Mexico. In 1776, a Spanish exploration party noted many ancestral Pueblo ruins as they crossed the Animas River valley looking for California. Father Escalante named the stream "Rio de las Animas Perdidas," or "river of lost souls." No photos or descriptions truly do the Aztec Ruins National Monument true justice.

Originally these ruins were thought to be relics of the great 15th century central Mexican civilization by early white settlers. Not so. The rise and fall of Aztec Ruins culture occurred centuries before the Central American peoples.
Because Chaco is considered to be the center of the Hisatsinom culture, Aztec Ruins and Salmon Ruin are called outliers of that center.

Aztec Ruins is located at nearly a half-way point between Chaco, 65 miles to the south, and Mesa Verde, 40 miles northwest. Chaco Canyon had a main occupation from 1050 to 1150, and Mesa Verde was mainly occupied between 1200 and 1275.

The Aztec Ruins National Monument is a preservation of structures and artifacts created and left by the ancient Pueblo people with buildings dating back to the 1200's

DIRECTIONS TO RUINS:
By car: Aztec Ruins National Monument is located on Ruins Road about 1/2 mile north of New Mexico Highway 516, in the City of Aztec, New Mexico.

From Albuquerque/Bloomfield: Follow Highway 550 north into the City of Aztec, turn left at the “T” intersection onto Highway 516, drive 3/4 mile, then turn right immediately after crossing the river onto Ruins Road. Follow Ruins Road ½ mile to the Monument.

From Durango: Follow Highway 550 south into the City of Aztec. Highway 550 will become 516. Follow 516 and turn right immediately after crossing the river onto Ruins Road. Follow Ruins Road ½ mile to the Monument.

From Farmington: Follow Highway 516 east into the City of Aztec; 1/4 mile past Lightplant Road turn left onto Ruins Road. Follow Ruins Road ½ mile to the Monument.

CLUES FOR BOX: Go into the picnic area directly off the parking lot and follow the path to the right that leaves the park and crosses county road 2900. There is a trail sign on the left that reads "Aztec Ruins National Monument Trail" follow the trail for approx 57 steps and there is a tree on the left that has the perfect little Y-pocket up where the branches start. The box has been moved there. The original tree where the box was hidden has been cut down. Do a good job of putting things back the way you found them. Enjoy the beauty and culture of the Ruins.