The Oldest Continuously Inhabited Settlement in The United States

 

Acoma Pueblo: The Oldest Continuously Inhabited Settlement in The United States

 Set within the vast desert of northern New Mexico, a massive, 357-foot tall mesa stands proud. Known as Acoma Rock, the craggy, flat-topped mountain is home to Acoma, a National Historic Landmark, and one of the oldest continuously occupied communities in what is now the United States.

 

On today’s side trip, Ginny and I journeyed to The Oldest Continuously Inhabited Settlement in The United States, Acoma Pueblo. Acoma Pueblo,  in West Central New Mexico, is believed to have been established in the 12th century or even earlier.

 

Set within the vast desert of northern New Mexico, a massive, 357-foot tall mesa stands proud. Known as Acoma Rock, the craggy, flat-topped mountain is home to Acoma, a National Historic Landmark, and one of the oldest continuously occupied communities in what is now the United States, and, until recently, could only be reached by a near vertical hand-cut staircase carved into the rock face. Acoma Pueblo’s soaring location has earned it the nickname “Sky City” and has impressed everybody who has laid eyes on it—from the first European to the modern visitor.

 

There are several interpretations 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 accurately reflect the defensive position of the mesa's inhabitants.

We could not actually visit the pueblo village on top of the mesa because of COVID restrictions, but we were given a virtual tour at the pueblo’s visitor center.