Acoma Sky City

Acoma Pueblo or Acoma Sky City is located on the top of this sandstone mesa which provides a wonderful view of the fields below which are used for farming. In the past, the people had and excellent vantage point for incoming potential intruders

Acoma Pueblo, a Native American settlement, is located approximately 60 miles west of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Perched atop a 365-foot sandstone mesa, it is home to Acoma Sky City, one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States.

Acoma is renowned for its distinctive pottery, admired for its intricate designs, craftsmanship, and beauty. Like other Pueblo potters, Acoma artisans dig their own clay, hand-coil it without the use of a potter’s wheel and smooth the surfaces by hand. The pieces are traditionally fired in hornos—outdoor beehive-shaped ovens made from adobe and fueled with wood.

This is an image of an horno, which is an adobe or clay walled oven. A large fire is built inside to heat the thermal mass of the walls, then the coals are removed before placing food or pottery inside to be heated or cooked. This method is also used for baking bread, roasting meats and chiles. It's a method that has been passed down through generations in Indigenous cultures.

The potters also create their own tools, fashioning paintbrushes from yucca fibers or human hair, and preparing their own natural pigments. Acoma pottery is especially celebrated for its meticulously hand-painted patterns and fine detail. Many potters sign their work with both their name and "Acoma" to signify its origin.

Traditional large hand-coiled pot	This pot exemplifies the intricacies of typical Acoma pottery craftsmanship. Remember that yucca paintbrushes are used!
A potter is depicted using yucca as his paintbrush.	This is an example of a potter signing his work and home on the pot.

Acoma pottery can be found in prestigious galleries, such as Tanner Tradition in Ruidoso, New Mexico. www.tannertradition.com

The Acoma Pueblo is comprised of four communities: Sky City (Old Acoma), Acomita, Anzac, and McCartys. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, approximately 5,000 individuals identified as Acoma.

The elevated position of Sky City historically provided a strategic advantage, allowing residents to spot incoming raids from neighboring Navajo and Apache groups. The mesa continues to support traditional lifestyles. Roughly 50 families still reside on the mesa, living in two-story adobe homes without electricity, running water, or sewer systems. Some homes use generators, and potable water is available from a single cistern. One side of the mesa has several outhouses, which are maintained by the pueblo.

This is one of the watering holes on the mesa. There are a precious few places where water is collected.

While the year-round population is modest, the number of residents increases significantly during feast days and cultural events, preserving the vibrant traditions and communal spirit of Acoma Pueblo. The Pueblo restricts access during some of these events so before planning a trip to the Pueblo, please visit their website to make sure that it will be open to the public when you want to go. https://skycityacoma.org/

This is an image of some of the kivas and homes on the mesa where entrances are from the roof. Historically, many kivas were entered primarily through a hole in the roof, accessed by a ladder. This design is linked to the kiva's structure and symbolism.

The name Acoma has no direct meaning in the modern Acoma language, Keresan. However, some tribal authorities link it to the similar word háák’u, meaning "preparedness" or "place of preparedness," and suggest this could be the origin of the name. Despite common misconceptions, Acoma does not mean "Sky City." Other tribal elders interpret the name as "the place that always was," while some outside sources have referred to it as meaning "people of the white rock," a reference to the mesa on which the community resides.

Sky City and Acoma Pueblo are among the cultural treasures that make New Mexico truly enchanting. Many residents serve as official guides, leading visitors across the mesa and sharing the Acoma people’s rich history and traditions. Upon arrival, visitors must register at the visitor center and pay an admission fee. A shuttle bus takes guests to the top of the mesa, where knowledgeable and welcoming Pueblo guides conduct the tours.

Photography is allowed only in designated areas, and certain subjects—such as the church and individuals encountered during the tour—may not be photographed. It’s also important to remember that Acoma is a living historic community, and visitors are expected to show respect for those who call it home. Additionally, anything brought up to the mesa must be taken back down, helping preserve the site for future generations.

At the base of the mesa, you'll find a museum and gift shop offering authentic Native-made goods. Often, Acoma artisans are present, demonstrating their crafts and selling their pottery. It’s not uncommon to discover beautiful, handcrafted pieces of Acoma pottery available for purchase during a tour.

For more information, visit the official website: https://skycityacoma.org/acoma-pueblo