Acoma
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Dwellings on the mesa at Acoma Pueblo
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Nearest city | Casa Blanca, New Mexico |
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Coordinates | 34°53′47″N 107°34′55″W / 34.89639°N 107.58194°WCoordinates: 34°53′47″N 107°34′55″W / 34.89639°N 107.58194°W |
Area | 270 acres (110 ha) |
Built | 1100 |
Architectural style | Colonial, Spanish Colonial |
NRHP Reference # | 66000500 |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
Designated NHL | October 9, 1960 |
Acoma Pueblo (/ˈækəmə/; Western Keresan: Haak'u; Zuni: Hakukya; Navajo: Haakʼoh) is a Native American pueblo approximately 60 miles (97 km) west of Albuquerque, New Mexico in the United States. Three villages make up Acoma Pueblo: Sky City (Old Acoma), Acomita, and Mcartys. The Acoma Pueblo tribe is a federally recognized tribal entity. The historical land of Acoma Pueblo totaled roughly 5,000,000 acres (2,000,000 ha). The community retains only 10% of this land, making up the Acoma Indian Reservation.
According to the 2010 United States Census, 4,989 people identified as Acoma. The Acoma have continuously occupied the area for more than 800 years, making this one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States. Acoma tribal traditions estimate that they have lived in the village for more than two thousand years.
The term “Acoma” comes from the Acoma word ‘haak'umeh’, derived from ‘haak'u’ (Western Keresan: Aa'ku, which may mean “home for many ages” or “place of preparedness”). Acoma is sometimes spelled Akome, Acuo, Acuco, Ako or A’ku-me. Its meaning varies depending on the interpretation: Some tribal elders assert that it means "a place that always was" meanwhile outsiders say it means “people of the white rock.” Pueblo is the Spanish word for ‘village’ or ‘small town.’ In general usage, it is applied both to the people and to the unique architecture of the southwestern native tribes.