History
Atsinna, meaning where pictures are on the rock, was occupied from roughly 1275 to 1400 by ancestors of today’s Zuni people. Eighteen rooms were excavated in 1954, 1955, and 1961, but the focus at El Morro has since shifted from excavation to preservation. Because the pueblo’s walls have been exposed to the elements for over 50 years, halting deterioration is an ongoing effort. After years in which thousands of prehistoric and historic ruins in national park units across the West were literally crumbling away amid backlogged treatment projects and lack of information on condition, the Vanishing Treasures program was created to address the destruction of these irreplaceable structures and build the skills of park employees to sustain preservation efforts. At El Morro, that program uses extensive documentation, drawings, laser imaging, and skilled masonry work to help Atsinna survive for future generations to study and enjoy.
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El Morro Valley, New Mexico · United States
