This aerial photograph by H.L. James, taken in the early 1970s for a book sold to tourists at the pueblo, helps to tell the story. Some archaeological evidence suggests that people were living atop the mesa, and in small settlements along springs and streams on the surrounding plain, before the time of Christ.
Tribal elders say that their people have always lived there.
The first Europeans to visit the pueblo were soldiers and priests sent by Francisco de Coronado in 1540. Before they were sent into slavery, his soldiers cut off one of the feet of each male prisoner. A Franciscan father arrived in 1629 to supervise construction of a church. They joined with the Spaniards in raids against Apaches and Navajos and adopted Catholicism, yet retained their ancient religious practices. Villagers farmed and worshipped as they had for the better part of two centuries.