Aztec Ruins National Monument Aztec Ruins National Monument The Aztec Ruins National Monument preserves Ancestral Puebloan structures in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of New Mexico. This national monument is close to both the town of Aztec and the Animas River, and it is about northeast of Farmington, New Mexico. The Salmon Ruins and Heritage Park, which also has Puebloan structures, is about south of the monument. The Aztec ruins date from the 11th to the 13th centuries. American settlers in the 19th century named them the "Aztec ruins" based on their erroneous belief that the Aztec civilization built them. The site
Aztec influence in Spain Aztec influence in Spain Aztec influence in Spain can be seen in both the cuisine of Spain and in its architecture. Guacamole, an avocado-based dip that was popular in Aztec cuisine as early as the 16th century, was brought back to Spain by the Conquistadors. Its reputation as an aphrodisiac derives from the words that combine to form the word "ahuaca-molli" ("guacamole" in the Aztec language): "molli" meant "something mashed or pureed into a sauce" and as well as meaning "avocado" "ahuacatl" meant "testicle". The stone work of sun pattern, snakes, panther and birds above the main entrance to the