Bandelier Monument Reopens Archaeological

It's for months visitors have been through archaeological excavations in the heart of Bandelier National Monument.

They took care that has grown Highest wildlife in the history of New Mexico and post-fire ash filled the walls full of dirt and debris from the charred mountains above, up to Frijoles Canyon and past the stone structures and a modern visitor center.

In all summer rains today, but more. And on Monday began inviting people shuttle bus monument visitors to the throat.

The first bus arrived with 18 passengers, including Dan and Mary Lee, Traverse City, Michigan

The couple were in New Mexico is celebrating its 50th anniversary and has decided to extend his trip a day to see Frijoles Canyon sites.

"We're really lucky," said Mary Lee, who was ready for a short hike through the gorge with his backpack, hat and hiking poles. "This is the purpose of our trip to visit prehistoric Indian sites."

Bus runs seven days a week until October. For the first time each day from 9 am The last bus out will be 17:30

Park officials said they eagerly await the day, visitors can once again enjoy what is probably the most popular district in the sprawling park.

Located between the ancient canyons of northern New Mexico, Bandelier has a long history of humanity that stretches back over 10,000 years. Ancestors of some of today's Native American pueblos built stone houses and houses carved canyon park. Spanish settlers, and the Civilian Conservation Corp., a century later, also left their mark on the territory.

Nearly two-thirds of the monument was singed in Las Conchas fire that was started on the afternoon of June 26 by a tree falling on a power line miles.

The flames ran down the table tops and bottom of the cliffs dotted with hundreds of archaeological sites.

Employees of the building were struggling this afternoon to save pieces of prehistoric pottery, and rare and irreplaceable works of art rather than today's Native Americans. They used blankets, old uniforms and even the American flag to wrap the pieces to be transported out of the canyon to safety.

The fire stopped a mile from the monument largest concentration of prehistoric cultural sites. Also spared was a collection of historic buildings built by workers in the New Deal and the visitor center, newly renovated, $ 3200000 - all on the bottom of Frijoles Canyon.

The fire destroyed more than five dozen homes in the surrounding mountains and threatened one of the first laboratories of the nation's nuclear weapons at Los Alamos. Since then, the region is struggling to recover.

Threat in recent weeks has been the summer rain pounding down on a huge scar and sending burning debris and charred ash sediments in the core of the monument.

Late August storms caused flooding in Bandelier. Some of the concrete barriers and sandbags along Bean Creek near the visitor center were swept away, as well as parts of the track drops down. The workers spent days removing debris along the stream.

No major damage to the reception center was evident. Archaeological sites, the administrative building and a gift shop also escaped unharmed, because they are on higher ground.

However, questions remain over the long term ecological impact of fire and its effects on the park.

The fire of 244 square miles and mountain canyons filled with nothing more than ash and blackened tree trunks. Thousands of downed trees were sprayed.

All but 1,000 acres of 12,000 acres burned upper basin Frijoles, and officials said it was most severe, leaving behind no vegetation.

While the Bandelier will continue at the mercy of Mother Nature, park officials said they decided to restrict the activities of the visitor to ensure the safety of Canyon.



For more interesting topics related to archaeology, visit archaeology excavations.