Walking in the Steps of the Ancients...

This past Thursday through Saturday, we visited Chaco Culture Historical National Monument in NW New Mexico - north of Albuquerque off of Hwy 550.  This desolate park is located 21 miles off of Hwy 550, 13 miles of which is a rough, dusty, dirt road  (and 5 miles of which is washboard).  The camping is fairly primitive here (there's heat, flush toilets and non-potable water in the restroom), but there's no electricity or water at the camp sites and drinking water is only available at one location at the visitor's center.  The visitor center is barren - missing a museum and historical displays. It's not an easy place to get to and there are few creature comforts there,  however, the peace and quiet of this remote location, the massive surrounding desert, the honey-colored Chaco Canyon cliffs and mesas, the phenomenal number of ruins and the tremendous importance of this Ancestral Puebloan site in its central relation to other important sites in the southwest (Mesa Verde, Canyon de Chelly, Bandelier, Betatakin, etc.) make it a "must see" for those interested in "first people" history and culture. Thank you, Betsy (from our hiking group), for recommending this place.

It's been a tough day here...

New Pueblo Alto on top of the mesa

Multi-storied Pueblo Bonito in Chaco canyon

Is this really a doorway?

Once inside, it became a maze - where did he go?

The archaeologists first began digging here in the late 1800's and by the 1920's numerous National Geographic expeditions had begun to expose and discover the true importance and size of the "pre-historic" puebloes (communities or groups of living areas, great rooms, kivas, etc.)  in this area.  We were able to view and explore approximately 13 exposed pueblo sites, many of which were  partially or wholly exposed and there are many others that will remain buried in sand forever - both to protect the sites and to respect the Puebloan ancestors.

We took a wonderful 5 1/2 mile hike from the valley floor to the northern mesa and the Alta Pueblo and New Alto Puebloes. It was full of surprises and we were so glad we chose this particular one to take.

This is the trail to Alto Pueblo - you see it, of course!

 

Scrambling down from the top of the mesa.  Not for the "faint-of-heart"

Walking in their footsteps...literally

On the mesa - Early beachfront property - wavy sandstone originally on the shore of an ancient sea

 The current theories now identify Chaco as a central religious, governmental, ceremonial, trading and gathering site for the greater Southwest and Four Corners early pueblo people.  Many archaeologists believe that the rooms and kivas were built primarily to accommodate the numerous temporary visitors who arrived to trade and celebrate particularly during the winter and summer solstice.  In fact, the early digs discovered intact artifacts (turqouise jewelry, raw turquoise, pottery, macaw and parrot feathers etc.) that may have originated via trade from as far away as Mexico. They've also uncovered broad roadways that spanned great distances outward toward other pueblo sites outside the area.The theories are abundant and changing and Chaco is being viewed increasingly as a major "prehistoric" hub for these early Americans.

Roads were built and steps were carved into the rock faces for easy access for visitors

If you're curious and want to read more, Craig Child's 2006 book "House of Rain" is a great place to start.

We left early on Sunday morning as snow began to fall and the wind hit 30 mph. We were sorry to have to leave...