Otsungna

Otsungna (also sometimes spelled Otsungna-na) is a village and archaeological site located in the western portion of the Jemez Mountains in north-central New Mexico, United States. It is a significant Ancestral Puebloan site, dating primarily from the late 13th to the early 17th centuries. Otsungna is associated with the ancestral people of the modern-day Jemez Pueblo (Walatowa).

The site consists of the ruins of a large pueblo, characterized by multi-story buildings constructed of sandstone masonry. It is believed to have been one of the larger villages in the Jemez region during its period of occupation. Otsungna was likely abandoned in the early to mid-17th century, possibly due to a combination of factors including drought, disease introduced by Europeans, and Spanish colonial pressure.

Archaeological investigations at Otsungna have provided valuable insights into the social organization, economy, and religious practices of the Ancestral Puebloans who inhabited the Jemez Mountains. Artifacts recovered from the site include pottery, stone tools, and evidence of agricultural practices.

Otsungna holds cultural and historical significance for the Jemez Pueblo, and the area is considered sacred ground. The Jemez Pueblo maintains a strong connection to the site and works to preserve and protect it. The site is generally not accessible to the public to protect it from damage and looting and to respect the cultural sensitivities of the Jemez people.