Sand Canyon Pueblo

5MT765

Named for nearby drainage.

Habitation with public architecture.

The boundary of the site was arbitrarily set at approximately 10 m beyond the edge of architectural remains visible on the modern ground surface. In addition, an isolated kiva (Kiva 1601) is located approximately 38 m north of the northern portion of the site-enclosing wall.

5.42 acres (2.19 hectares).

The site includes approximately 420 rooms, 90 kivas, 14 towers, an enclosed plaza, a D-shaped bi-wall structure, a great kiva, and other structures and features. Most of the structures are located within a wall that encloses the site on the east, north, and west. A drainage that contains a spring divides the site into east and west sides. Structures are found both above and below cliff faces, on talus slopes, and on boulders. Fourteen architectural blocks were defined, including two public buildings (a D-shaped structure and a great kiva). In addition, a large, generally level area in the west part of the site was defined as a plaza. Lester's Site (5MT10246), located just beyond the southwestern boundary of Sand Canyon Pueblo as recorded (see Database Map 4000), was also probably part of the village; however, it was recorded and tested as a separate site (see Kuckelman 1999*3).

Approximately 12 miles (19 km) west-northwest of Cortez, Colorado (Montezuma County).

U.S. Government, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Canyon of the Ancients National Monument.}

1984-1989, 1991-1993.

Approximately 5 percent.

Permits to conduct excavations and maintain a seasonal field camp were issued to the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), San Juan Resource Area Office, Durango, Colorado, and by the National Park Service. Excavations were conducted under the authority of Federal Antiquities and Cultural Resource Use permits, and the field camp was maintained under the authority of Special Recreation and Land Use permits.