Did you know that there was a thriving culture of 250 - 400,000 people living in a 5,000 square mile area in what is now the American Southwest during the period 850 - 1250 AD?
Rather than try to recap it in my words, we'll use pictures of the displays put up by the historians and archeologists of the National Park Service, along with links to more thorough explanations.
What it's all about. The Chacoan Culture. Remember to click on the picture for an enlargement.
Pueblo Bonito was the largest of the structures that were built in Chaco Canyon, the Center of the Chaco Culture. Building Started circa 825 AD.
Chetro Ketl was the second largest structure built, just a few hundred yards to the east of Pueblo Bonito. Building started circa 1050 AD.
Here are some pictures of the ruins:
Overview of part of Pueblo Bonito.
Ranger explaining the different types of masonry employed over the years in Chetro Ketl.
Another view of Pueblo Bonito.
Pueblo Bonito.
Pueblo Bonito.
Pueblo Bonito with modern gutter in lower left. Part of attempts to conserve the structure.
Showing the construction of the ceiling of an inner Pueblo Bonito room. The beams and logs have been carbon dated to 800 - 850 AD.It has been estimated that the construction of Pueblo Bonito and Chetro Ketl required in excess of 5000 mature trees and 50,000,000 stone pieces EACH! The types of woods used in the construction grow, at the closest, over 80 miles away. No trucks, no elephants, no mules, all had to be carried by the Chacoans to the Chaco Canyon.
It appears that relatively few people actually lived here and that the buildings were used several times a year for tribal or religeous celebrations or rites.
Why build these huge buildings? Think of these structures as the Chacoan equivalent of the great Cathedrals of Europe, some of which were constructed in the same time period.
The 250 - 400,000 other Chacoans lived in other settlements throughout the San Juan River Basin and beyond. One of these settlements was about 60 miles to the north in what is now Aztec, NM.
The Aztec Ruins National Monument displays the ruins of the old pueblo and the reconstruction of the main Kiva, which was the community center for tribal and religious celebrations.
The "Aztec" name comes from the mistaken belief of the discoverer (which gave him naming rights) of these ruins that they must be an extension of the Aztec culture of Central America.
The color stripe and the masonry would tend to indicate that this building was constructed late in the Chacoan era, probably not earlier than 1050 AD.
Great Kiva view North to South.
Great Kiva view South to North.
It appears that relatively few people actually lived here and that the buildings were used several times a year for tribal or religeous celebrations or rites.
Why build these huge buildings? Think of these structures as the Chacoan equivalent of the great Cathedrals of Europe, some of which were constructed in the same time period.
The 250 - 400,000 other Chacoans lived in other settlements throughout the San Juan River Basin and beyond. One of these settlements was about 60 miles to the north in what is now Aztec, NM.
The Aztec Ruins National Monument displays the ruins of the old pueblo and the reconstruction of the main Kiva, which was the community center for tribal and religious celebrations.
The "Aztec" name comes from the mistaken belief of the discoverer (which gave him naming rights) of these ruins that they must be an extension of the Aztec culture of Central America.
The color stripe and the masonry would tend to indicate that this building was constructed late in the Chacoan era, probably not earlier than 1050 AD.
Great Kiva view North to South.
Great Kiva view South to North.Almost 360 view of the Great Kiva from the entrance steps on the North side.
Oh! Did I mention that the Chaco CNHP is reached via a 16 mile dirt road? A very rough washboard infested dirt road?
More tomorrow!
MMG and DDG
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