Read the passage. new mexico has a long and rich history. its earliest inhabitants arrived about 10,000 years ago. europeans did not arrive until the late 1500s. spanish conquerors took control of the land from the native americans, and later, the u. s. army claimed the state. today, new mexico still has many rural areas. which detail is least relevant to someone interested in the early history of new mexico? spanish conquerors took control from native americans. today, new mexico remains rural. new mexico has a long history. early inhabitants arrived about 10,000 years ago.