Puerco Pueblo Ruins at Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

The Puerco Indian Ruin was inhabited during the 1100's and again during the 1300's. It is one of more than 300 Indian ruins in the park. This area supported a small farming community of perhaps 60-75 inhabitants, possible due of its proximity to the then-flowing Puerco River. Below are the remains of a 76 room pueblo, some of whose buildings may have stood two stories high. These walls are formed by slabs of sandstone laid in adobe mortar. Interestingly, the ruin was first excavated by John Muir, more often known as a naturalist than an archaeologist, in 1905 and 1906.

petrified forest national park arizona nps staff puerco pueblo ruins puerco indian ruin indian ruins puerco river ruin room pueblo two stories adobe mortar john muir national parks gallery high resolution

1980 - 1999

National Parks Gallery

https://npgallery.nps.gov/

Public Domain Dedication