In
a dramatic setting of narrow, forested canyons and steep cliffs,
Bandelier National Monument
shelters the archeological remnants of thousands of years of Native
American life in New Mexico. The area was first used by ancient
nomadic people who hunted abundant game. Later, from about 1100
to 1550, it was a thriving center of Pueblo life and home to the
ancestors of northern New Mexico’s modern Pueblo people. Thousands
of ancient dwelling sites within the monument include spectacular
ruins of cliff dwellings, ceremonial kivas, and multi-storied buildings.
Bandelier is also a designated wilderness area, protecting many
species of plants, birds, and animals.
In our gift shop, we offer items made by local Puebloans and other
Native Americans, many of whom base their work on traditional techniques
practiced by the ancestral Puebloans at Bandelier. Artistry is very
much a part of Native American life and visitors will find these
beautiful objects serve as living reminders of America’s oldest
culture.
With the knowledge that we are merely the current custodians of
this park, we take utmost care to make preservation of this rich
archaeological system and the natural beauty of the area a top priority
in our daily operations.
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