Christmas Tree Ruin Explained

Christmas Tree Ruin (LA 11097)
Designated Other1:New Mexico
Designated Other1 Date:February 20, 1975
Designated Other1 Number:361
Designated Other1 Num Position:bottom
Nearest City:Farmington, New Mexico
Area:0.5acres
Added:January 21, 1987
Refnum:86003646
Mpsub:Navajo--Refugee Pueblo TR

The Christmas Tree Ruin is an archaeological site containing a Navajo pueblito, a defensive structure built in a high cliff wall approximately 200 feet above the floor of Gobernador Canyon in northwestern New Mexico, United States. The ruin, which is believed to have been built by the Navajo, dates to the 18th century, and was probably used for defensive, storage, and habitation purposes.[1]

The site is situated on a ledge and within a rock shelter. The ruin consists of a walled rock shelter and a burned rock pile. The walled area is accessible only by ladder.[1]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Defensive Sites Of Dinetah by Margaret A. Powers and Byron P. Johnson. New Mexico Bureau of Land Management Cultural Resources Series No. 2, 1987.