Pecos Pueblo rose to power by capitalizing on the natural environment. The pass between the Glorieta Mesa and Sangre de Cristo Mountains was a well-established trade route, bringing wealth to Pecos. The pueblo sat atop a narrow ridge, elevating it above the surrounding landscape. This higher location secured Pecos' military power by providing clear views to warn of an enemy approach and acting as a natural fortress. Multiple water sources surrounding the ridge sustained farming, the trade economy, and the population. Pecos Pueblo was a gateway between the Plains Indians and the upper Rio Grande pueblos.
