Mountainair’s Ancient Ruins – The Salinas National Monument
Nearby Rancho Los Caballos, in the stones of the Salinas Valley pueblo ruins are faint echoes of the communities that lived there three centuries ago. Before they abandoned the area in the 1600s, Pueblo Indians forged a stable agricultural society whose members lived in apartment-like complexes and participated, through rule and ritual, in the cycles of nature. Two ancient southwestern cultural traditions, the Anasazi and Mogollon, over lapped in the Salinas Valley to produce the later societies at Abo, Gran Quivira, and Quarai. These traditions had roots as far back as 7,000 years ago and were themselves preceded by nomadic Indians who arrived perhaps 20,000 years ago.
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is open daily, year round. The park visitor center is in Mountainair, N.M., one block west of the U.S. 60 and N M. 55 junction. Most accommodations and services are available in town.
Abo Ruins
From Mountainair New Mexico these ruins are 9 miles west on U.S. 60 and one-half mile north on N.M. 513. The site features sophisticated church architecture and a large unexcavated pueblo.
Gran Quivira Ruins
From Mountainair New Mexico these ruins are 26 miles south on N.M. 55. There are two churches, excavated Indian structures, museum exhibits, and a 40-minute film to be viewed.
Quarai Ruins,
From Mountainair New Mexico these ruins are 8 miles north on N.M. 55 and 1 mile west. The Quarai has the most complete Salinas church with a range of artifacts on display.
