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Taos Pueblo Preserves a Centuries-Old Life Without Indoor Utilities
Taos Pueblo is an old Native American community in New Mexico.
People have lived and farmed there for about 1,000 years.
Many homes are made from mud, called adobe.
Some homes have more than one floor, and wooden ladders connect the floors.
The traditional homes do not have electricity or running water inside.
This is a choice to protect the community’s old way of life and buildings.
About 75 people still live in these homes, while other families live nearby.
Visitors can usually come during the day, unless an important ceremony is happening.
Taos Pueblo is a living Native American community in New Mexico with roots dating to around 900 AD.
Many residents still live in traditional adobe homes built between approximately 1000 and 1450 AD.
The homes generally lack indoor electricity and running water by deliberate community choice.
About 75 people live in the traditional homes, while others live on surrounding land.
The 99,000-acre area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and welcomes visitors except during some ceremonies.
- Who
- The Taos Pueblo Native American community, also known as the Red Willow or Pueblo people.
- What
- The community continues living in traditional adobe homes without indoor running water or electricity.
- Where
- Taos Pueblo is in Taos Valley, New Mexico, at about 7,200 feet above sea level.
- When
- The community has lived in the Taos Valley since around 900 AD; many adobe homes date from approximately 1000 to 1450 AD.
- Why
- Residents consciously preserve their ancestors’ lifestyle, architecture, and cultural traditions.
Key facts
- Community origins
- Taos Pueblo has lived and farmed in the Taos Valley since around 900 AD.
- Traditional homes
- The adobe homes were built approximately between 1000 and 1450 AD.
- Residents
- Around 75 people still live in the traditional homes.
- Area
- The surrounding area covers about 99,000 acres.
- Elevation
- The village is located around 7,200 feet above sea level.
- Visitor hours
- The site is usually open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Recognition
- Taos Pueblo is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Quotes
Sarika Yadav
Travel content creator who visited Taos Pueblo and shared observations on Instagram.
“Some of them are multi-story, but they are all made of mud, which is why they are called adobe homes. Even today, wooden ladders are used to get from the lower floors to the upper floors. There are shops inside the village, along with many cafés and other facilities.”
NDTV
“Despite having several modern amenities, there is still no running water here. That's not because the facilities are lacking. It's a conscious decision because they want to preserve the lifestyle and architecture created by their ancestors.”
NDTV
Sources
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