WALLACE RUIN

    Wallace Ruin is located near Cortez, Colorado. It's a multi-storied pueblo that has been under investigation since 1969 by Dr. Bruce Bradley. Approximately 20% of the rooms have been scientifically excavated. Wallace Ruin was a single structure that was once a part of a much larger community. The site contains two other large buildings, a reservoir, a great kiva, possible ceremonial landscaping and several small habitations. Excavations of Wallace Ruin have indicated that the structure may have served as a special function or "great house" as early as A.D. 1060. The site was still in use as late as the 13th century.

by Bruce Bradley, PhD.

     On the Colorado Plateau of northeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, southeastern Utah and southwestern Colorado the Archaic was followed by a culture termed the Anasazi. This was a generalized village dwelling group which relied primarily on the cultivation of corn, beans and squash. Hunting did remain as part of the food gathering process throughout the Anasazi era. There is growing evidence that warfare may also have played a small role in Anasazi society. The Anasazi era has been separated into two major divisions: (1) the Basketmaker, and (2) the Pueblo. Each of these is further subdivided into social organizations. The Anasazi era is usually considered to fall between A.D. 1 and A.D. 1300. This time was followed by further development of a pueblo dwelling culture which is still existing today in New Mexico and Arizona.