The village was built at the top of a nearly inaccessible ridge on an 800-foot high detached mesa (peñol),[1] overlooking the Jemez creek.

Astialaka shares architectural similarities with the former pueblos of Patokwa and Boletsakwa which were centered on two large linear plazas surrounded by multiple rooms built in the characteristic "ladder-type" construction.

The complex architectural remains indicate that this was a habitation as well as a refuge pueblo, containing many rooms, petroglyphs and other rock art, defensive walls, and agricultural areas.

[1] Historically, the Jemez people lived in seven or more pueblos before the conquest of Santa Fe de Nuevo Méjico in 1598 by Juan Oñate and his men.

In 1692, don Diego de Vargas reconquered Nuevo Mexico and in 1694 stormed the fortress of Astialakwa in a siege.

[6] The Battle of Astialakwa (also known as the Siege of Astialakwa) took place on July 24, 1694, when a group of 120 soldiers led by the Spanish governor don Diego de Vargas and their Keresan-speaking allied militia from the Zia, Santa Ana and San Felipe pueblos, waged war against the Jemez Pueblo indigenous peoples.

[7] After the battle, Vargas ordered the village to be "burned and reduced to ashes"[8] after giving the sheep, goats, cattle and maize to his Keres allies.

[7] Descendants of the survivors of Astialakwa continue to dwell and share their culture at Jemez Pueblo not far from Guadalupe Mesa.