ACOMA, a tribe and town of the Pueblo Indians in New Mexico, forming an isolated western settlement of the Keres stock. The town is strikingly situated on a mesa rising 35oft. sheer above the surrounding plain, in which lie the Pueblo farm lands at a distance of some miles. It is reputed to be the oldest inhabited settlement in the United States, a distinction which, however, may be challenged by Zuiii and Oraibi. Discovered by Coronado's army in i540, Acoma surprised and defeated a Spanish detachment in 1598, lost heavily in its subjugation next year, re ceived a permanent mission early in the 17th century, rebelled with the other Pueblos in 168o, but was reconquered. The original population was perhaps i,000, the present one is about 500.