School credited for saving ancient pot

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - An ancient Indian pot has stirred up a big day of recognition for students, teachers and parents at Sandia Prep School in Albuquerque.

During a packed assembly in the school gym Tuesday the students received a plaque and a picture from the Bureau of Land Management for what federal specialists are calling a significant find.

Students and parents involved in the Sandia Prep Outdoor Leadership Program came across this big intact Indian pot earlier this month in the lava tubes on BLM land south of Grants.

"I knew it was old but I didn't think it was that old," student Sebastian Fidalgo said. "And to think that all those rocks that had fallen on it and not broken it. That's pretty amazing."

The pot is believed to be a water vessel between 900 and 1,000 years old.

They didn't touch the pot, but carefully covered it and called authorities.

"These young kids are to be commended for absolutely doing the right thing," Edwin Singleton of the BLM said. "They recognized that what they saw was something very remarkable and something very special."

The BLM spoke with Acoma and Zuni pueblos, and it was decided to remove the pot because it was so close to a road.

Now the pueblos and BLM are deciding what to do with the vessel.