Photograph of Enchanted Mesa taken from Aa'ku - 1899

Acoma Pueblo (Western Keresan dialect: Aa'ku; Zuni: Hakukya), also known as "Sky City", is a Native American pueblo built on top of a 367-foot (112 m) sandstone mesa in the U.S. state of New Mexico. The Pueblo believed to have been established prior to the 10th century was chosen in part because of its defensive position against raiders. It is regarded as the oldest continuously inhabited community in the United States. Access to the pueblo is difficult as the faces of the mesa are sheer (a topographic map shows this best). Before modern times access was gained only by means of a hand-cut staircase carved into the sandstone. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1031x701, 609 KB)Enchanted Mesa- taken from Acoma Pueblo 1899 by W.H. Jackson - obtained from USGS.gov. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1031x701, 609 KB)Enchanted Mesa- taken from Acoma Pueblo 1899 by W.H. Jackson - obtained from USGS.gov. ... The Keres language is a group of seven related dialects spoken by Pueblo peoples in New Mexico, U.S.A. Each is mutually intelligible with its neighbors. ... Zuni language Zuni (also Zuñi or Shiwi) is spoken by over 10000 people in New Mexico and much smaller numbers in parts of Arizona. ... Assiniboin Boy, an Atsina Native Americans in the United States (also Indians, American Indians, First Americans, Indigenous Peoples, Aboriginal Peoples, Aboriginal Americans, Amerindians, Amerinds, or Original Americans) are those indigenous peoples within the territory that is now encompassed by the continental United States, and their descendants in modern times. ... Pueblos are traditional Native American communities of the Southwest United States of America. ... Sandstone near Stadtroda, Germany Sandstone is an sedimentary rock composed mainly of feldspar and quartz and varies in colour (in a similar way to sand), through grey, yellow, red, and white. ... Several mesas near Los Alamos, New Mexico. ... A U.S. state is any one of the fifty states (four of which officially favor the term commonwealth) which, with the District of Columbia, forms the United States of America. ... State nickname: Land of Enchantment Official languages English and Spanish Capital Santa Fe Largest city Albuquerque Governor Bill Richardson (D) Senators Pete Domenici (R) Jeff Bingaman (D) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 5th 315,194 km² 0. ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 10th century was that century which lasted from 901 to 1000. ...

There are several interpretation of origin of the name "Acoma". Some believe that the name Acoma comes from the Keresan words for the People of the White Rock, with aa'ku meaning white rock, and meh meaning people. Others believe that the word aa'ku actually comes from the word haaku meaning to prepare; a description that would more accurately reflect the defensive position of the mesa's inhabitants. The Keres language is a group of seven related dialects spoken by Pueblo peoples in New Mexico, U.S.A. Each is mutually intelligible with its neighbors. ...

Acoma Pueblo is comprised of several villages including Acomita, McCarty's, Anzac and the newer subdivision of Sky Line. Acoma people dry-farm in the valley below Aa'ku and use irrigation canals in the villages closer to the Rio San Jose.

Tracing their lineage to the inhabitants of ruins to the west and north, the Acoma people continue the traditions of their ancestors. Acoma people practice their traditional religion and some also practice the Catholic religion that came with Spanish settlers in the 1500's. Acoma people have traded and interacted with their neighbors for centuries, some of which extended beyond the local Pueblos. Trade between Aztec and Mayan people was common prior to European settlement. Only more recently has trade and interaction with other tribes been hampered by international boundaries. Traditional alliances still exist between the Pueblos who often speak different dialects or different languages. Throughout the year feasts are held in celebratation of historic occasions. Visitors are allowed to attend these feasts but are encouraged to be respectful and aware of local protocol.

Acoma Pueblo and its reflection in a pool of water.

The Spanish settlers had the mission church of San Esteban Rey built at the pueblo from 1629 to 1641. Its 30-foot beams were carried 30 miles from Kaweshtima or Mount Taylor Mountain, and the dirt for its graveyard was carried up the mesa from the valley below. Both the mission and the pueblo are registered National Historical Landmarks. Acoma Pueblo and its reflection in a pool of water, New Mexico. ... Acoma Pueblo and its reflection in a pool of water, New Mexico. ... The USS Arizona Memorial. ...

Like other pueblos, Acoma and the surrounding area are considered federal trust land, administered by the federal government for the pueblo. Several families still on the mesa itself year-round, while others elect to live in nearby villages (Acoma Village, New Mexico, among them). The 2000 US Census lists 2,802 inhabitants of the Acoma Pueblo and off-reservation trust lands.

The pueblo is located 60 miles (100 km) west of Albuquerque on Interstate 40 and 12 miles (20 km) south on Indian Route 23. The pueblo is not open to the public and visitors must obtain visitor and camera permits from the Sky City visitor center at the base of the mesa.
This article is about the largest city of New Mexico. ... INTERSTATE JUNCTIONS JUNCTION EXIT # I-15 CA 0 I-17 AZ 195 I-25 NM 159 I-44 OK 147 I-35 OK 150-152 I-30 AR 153 I-55 AR 277-279 I-65 TN 207-209 I-75 TN 368-385 I-81 TN 421 I-26...

External links

• Pueblo of Acoma webpage

• Maps and aerial photos
  • Street map from Google Local or Yahoo! Maps
  • Topographic map from TopoZone
  • Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
  • Satellite image from Google Local or Microsoft Virtual Earth