T A O S   P U E B L O ,   N E W   M E X I C O

Proper etiquette is an important aspect here, visitors must be sensitive to tribal rules and customs.

The tour finally begins. Our tour guide, a 21 year old student and native Taos Pueblo native, kicks things into high gear. We depart from the church yard, and after a short walk, we reach our first sight of interest, the cemetery.

Approximately 20,000 people are buried at this site. So many, they've had to resort to stacking the graves and moving in more dirt to get everyone to fit. Originally a church property, this place was destroyed by the Spanish Army in the early 1700s and turned into a burial ground in response to the murder of Governor Bates. Apparently the Spanish had a habit of periodically forcing their religion (Christianity) down the throats of the tribal members, the tribe grew angry over time, so they revolted and murdered the Governor. During the massacre, 150 women and children were killed.

All that's left of the original structure is the bell tower.