After the abandonment of the site, the roofs and missing wall sections of the masonry structures were destroyed by weathering. Eventually, wind blown sediments covered the ruin, protecting it from further deterioration. After the site was excavated, it was again exposed to the elements. To arrest the deterioration by wind and water, all of the masonry structures were stabilized. Stabilization primarily involves replacing loose and crumbling mortar and wall sections essential to the stability of a structure.
Care is taken to match the original color, form and texture when repairing with modern materials.
Often, room interiors and the surrounding terrain are regraded to aid in draining water away from the walls and structures. The focus of all stabilization activities is the safety of the visitors and preservation of the structures. It is not intended to reconstruct the site to its original appearance. Therefore, much of what you see at the site appears as it did when unearthed by archaeologists. We do not know what the Anasazi called themselves.