From www.arizonahandbook.com:  “Beginning as a small village in the 12th century, Awatovi (ah-What-o-vee) had become an important Hopi town by 1540 when Spanish explorers from Coronado’s expedition arrived. Franciscan friars in 1629 built a large church and friary using Hopi labor.  Their mission lasted 51 years until 1680, when, fearing their culture would be destroyed by Christianity, Hopi villagers joined their New Mexico Pueblo neighbors in successfully overthrowing Spanish rule, wrecking the Awatovi church and killing most of the priests.
     Spaniards reestablished the mission in 1700, but other Hopi villages became so angered by this continued alien influence that they banded together and promptly destroyed Awatovi.   Of 800 inhabitants, almost all the men were massacred with little effect.  Further missionary efforts among the Hopi proved futile.  Only ghosts live at Awatovi today-it was never resettled.  The ruin sprawls across 23 acres on the southwest tip of Antelope mesa, with piles of rubble as high as 30 feet.  The site is currently closed to the public.”

48 x 48 x 10"
Wood and Theatrical Gel
2004