The Hedley preserve contains a great kiva, many room blocks, and a Chacoan-style great house.
Photo credit: TAC
An additional 29-acre parcel was recently acquired by The Archaeological Conservancy, expanding the Hedley Pueblo Preserve in southeastern Utah to a total of 200 acres to encompass previously unprotected archaeological deposits at risk for development, agriculture, and looting. Preserving this important Ancestral Pueblo village site began with the original 70-acre parcel being donated to the Conservancy in 1993 by the Hedley family. Two additional parcels totaling 100 acres were donated by the MacGregor family. This new parcel unites the previously donated parcels. The preserve now consists of three architectural units dating between A.D. 1050 and 1300. Features include a great kiva, multiple room blocks, and a Chacoan-style great house. The largest unit has at least 250 rooms and is among the largest late Pueblo III villages in the Mesa Verde region. The layout of the site is similar to other Chaco communities subsequently occupied and modified by Mesa Verde people.
The preserve is in a remote agricultural area susceptible to looting and trespassing, so this acquisition will allow the Conservancy to better secure the site with fencing and access gates. The Southwest regional office will work closely with the Utah Historical Preservation Office to increase monitoring at the site and implement new security measures.
