Established in the late 1200s or early 1300s and abandoned by about 1600, this is among the largest of the prehistoric Indian settlements on the Pajarito Plateau, showing a variety of architectural forms and building techniques.

Native peoples first settled in the area in the late 10th century of the Pueblo II Era, living in dispersed farmstead dwellings at the east side of the Jemez Mountains.

Their settlements increased and changed over time in the Pueblo III Era, when they lived in larger, concentrated villages of Otowi, Puye, Shufinne, Tsankawi, Tsirege, and Tyuonyi.

[5] About 1580 (after the end of the Pueblo IV Era) drought finally forced the villagers to leave for locations nearer to the Rio Grande valley.

Present day inhabitants of Santa Clara Pueblo, some 10 miles (16 km) to the east, claim to be descendants of the Puye residents.

The resulting wildfire, known as the Cerro Grande Fire, eventually claimed 46,925 acres (189.90 km2), some 250 houses in Los Alamos, and devastated Santa Clara Canyon.