Pilabó facts for kids

Pilabó was an ancient pueblo (a type of village) built by the Piro people. It was located in what is now Socorro, New Mexico, in the United States. This historic site holds important clues about the lives of the Piro people and their interactions with early Spanish explorers.

What Was Pilabó?

Pilabó was a village where the Piro people lived long ago. The Piro were one of many groups of Puebloan peoples who built large, permanent villages in the American Southwest. These villages, called pueblos, were often made of adobe bricks or stone. They were designed to be strong and protect the community.

The Piro People and Their Pueblos

The Piro people lived along the Rio Grande river in what is now New Mexico. They were skilled farmers, growing crops like corn, beans, and squash. They also traded with other Native American groups. Their pueblos were important centers for daily life, ceremonies, and trade. Pilabó was one of several Piro pueblos in the area.

How Pilabó Got Its Name

The name "Socorro" has a special meaning for Pilabó. It comes from the Spanish word for "help" or "aid."

The Spanish Arrive

In 1598, a group of Spanish explorers led by Juan de Oñate traveled through the area. They were looking for new lands to claim for Spain. When Oñate's group arrived, they were very hungry and tired. They found a Piro pueblo nearby called Teypana. The people of Teypana were kind and offered the Spaniards much-needed food and supplies. Because of this help, the Spaniards named that pueblo "Socorro."

The Name "Socorro"

Over time, the name "Socorro" became associated with a different, but nearby, Piro pueblo: Pilabó. This happened after a Spanish mission was built there in 1626. The mission was named Nuestra Señora del Socorro. So, the name "Socorro" eventually moved from Teypana to Pilabó.

What Happened to Pilabó?

Like many pueblos, Pilabó faced big changes when the Spanish arrived. The Spanish built missions to teach the Piro people about Christianity. They also tried to control the Piro way of life. In 1680, many Pueblo peoples, including the Piro, joined together in the Pueblo Revolt. This was a major uprising against Spanish rule. During or after this revolt, the mission church at Pilabó was destroyed. The pueblo itself was likely abandoned or destroyed around 1680 or 1681.

Pilabó Today

Today, Pilabó is no longer a living village. However, some of its ancient remains are still buried underground. These remains are located south and southeast of the current San Miguel Church in Socorro. This church was built in the early 1800s on the ruins of the old mission church. Archaeologists sometimes study these buried remains to learn more about the Piro people and their history.