Once one of the largest northern Pueblos early in the fifteenth century, today the Picuris population has shrunk to less than three hundred. Largely responsible for this decline is the period of the revolt, from 1680 to 1696 when all the Pueblos fought the Spanish conquerors for their land and their autonomy. Finding it impossible to continue to resist the invaders, the Picuris, dispersed by the wars, returned to their once-abandoned Pueblo in 1706 and joined with their former oppressors in campaigns against hostile Apaches and Comanches who were attacking both Spanish and Pueblo settlements. After the cessation of these hostilities the Picuris settled down again. Peace brought many changes to the lifestyle of the Pueblo. The old ceremonies and rituals had been replaced by Christian religious practices and the tribal government had yielded to the Spanish authorities and later the Americans.y the mid-nineteen-twenties, the Picuris began their traditional customs and again became self-governing.The amenities of Anglo civilization which the Picuris had become accustomed to in the years of co-existence still found their way into the Pueblo: electricity, telephone, television and paved roads changed the aspect of the Pueblo. Most of the adult population work off the reservation and the children go to school in a nearby town. There are about 1800 inhabitants. Still Picuris life today is marked with many of the traditional ceremonies which have been revived and can be seen throughout the year.