The archaeological ruins of Gran Quivira are today part of the Salinas National Monument in New Mexico, and under the care of the National Park Service.
Gran Quivira restoration in progress
Photo Credit: National Park Service, courtesy Marc LeFrançois.
The Salinas include Gran Quivira, Abo and Quarai, three pueblo towns built by the Anasazi after the abandonment of their home in Mesa Verde about 1300 AD. During 2004, the NPS undertook a project to repair and conserve one of the small kivas at the park.
Much of Gran Quivira was excavated by Edgar Lee Hewett in 1923, and decades of exposure to the elements have eroded some of the of the rock features; further, the materials originally used to restore the buildings (such as portland cement) are no longer considered appropriate and in some cases have accelerated the deterioration. In 2004, Marc LeFrançois, curator at Gran Quivira, undertook the restoration of Kiva F, removing and replacing the old mortar. In Conserving Gran Quivira, Mark discusses the history of Gran Quivira and modern curation processes, and the accompanying photo essay, with photos supplied by the NPS, walks us through the process of restoration.
Gran Quivira restoration in progress
Photo Credit: National Park Service, courtesy Marc LeFrançois.
Much of Gran Quivira was excavated by Edgar Lee Hewett in 1923, and decades of exposure to the elements have eroded some of the of the rock features; further, the materials originally used to restore the buildings (such as portland cement) are no longer considered appropriate and in some cases have accelerated the deterioration. In 2004, Marc LeFrançois, curator at Gran Quivira, undertook the restoration of Kiva F, removing and replacing the old mortar. In Conserving Gran Quivira, Mark discusses the history of Gran Quivira and modern curation processes, and the accompanying photo essay, with photos supplied by the NPS, walks us through the process of restoration.
- Photo Essay: Restoration at Kiva F, Gran Quivira Pueblo, New Mexico
- Conserving Gran Quivira, a discussion of the technology by curator Marc LeFrançois.
- More Walking Tours and Photo Essays
- Archaeology of the American Southwest
- Salinas Pueblo Missions, Salinas National Monument
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