This sign, in the Aztec Ruins National Monument, located in the Animas Valley of Northwest New Mexico in Aztec, just 75 miles east of the Four Corners, explains the sacred aspect of the kiva.
Satellite view of a covered Great Kiva and a smaller kiva plus additional rooms which historically may have contained burials, baskets, pottery and clothing dating to 1100.
Reconstructed interior of a kiva, showing a vault and a fire pit, in addition to an opening in the ceiling which may have served as an entrance.
Large seating pits, or masonry wells which would have supported the enormous posts needed to hold up the roof. Attached to two of these pits were two vaults, or large stone boxes, which may have functioned as nurseries for the forced growing of vegetables.
