chaco canyon

CHACO CANYON

Fajada Butte

Chaco Canyon was a thriving complex between 850 and 1250 AD. The largest complex in the canyon, Pueblo Bonita (beautiful village) probably had a population of 1200 people at its height. The butte rises 115 meters above the canyon and is sacred to the indigenous population.
Kiva At Chetro Ketl

Beginning with a modest single story room around 1000 AD it grew to become a monumental structure that covered almost 3 acres by the early 1100's. Structures such as this were called Great Houses. The Kiva was used for religious worship.
Pueblo Bonita

Pueblo Bonita was the largest of the Great Houses in Chaco Canyon. At its height it had a population of approximately 1200 people. The complex backed up to the cliff face and was ringed by a large wall . As with other Great Houses in the canyon, the overall shape of Pueblo Bonita suggests a capital D
Pueblo Bonita panorama

The chacoans were highly skilled masons. As techniques improved they were able to build more stories. The Pueblo Bonita complex had as many as four stories in the rear stepping down to a single story in front.
Pueblo Bonita Interior

Although the masonry is very beautiful there is evidence that the surface was stuccoed. As to the T shaped opening, this is a exclusive Anasazi element that showed up first at Chaco Canyon. It is very prevalent at Mesa Verde. Archaeologists are unsure of it's origin.
Kiva at Pueblo del Arroyo

Pueblo del Arroyo is a D-shaped Great House that rose three and four stories high in the rear stepping down to one story in front. The complex was built in two stages from 1025 to 1125AD.
Park Restoration Workers Pueblo del Arryoyo

Park service technicians making repairs to the walls of Pueblo del Arroyo
Pueblo del Arroyo Interior Walls

The remaining walls of the complex give hint to the set back style of construction that allowed all stories access to light and terraces.
Road To Taos

On State highway 64 heading east to Taos.
Road To Taos 2

Still on State Highway 64 heading east to Taos with the Taos mountains in the distance.

Chaco Canyon was a thriving complex between 850 and 1250 AD. The largest complex in the canyon, Pueblo Bonita (beautiful village) probably had a population of 1200 people at its height. The butte rises 115 meters above the canyon and is sacred to the indigenous population.

Beginning with a modest single story room around 1000 AD it grew to become a monumental structure that covered almost 3 acres by the early 1100's. Structures such as this were called Great Houses. The Kiva was used for religious worship.

The chacoans were highly skilled masons. As techniques improved they were able to build more stories. The Pueblo Bonita complex had as many as four stories in the rear stepping down to a single story in front.

Although the masonry is very beautiful there is evidence that the surface was stuccoed. As to the T shaped opening, this is a exclusive Anasazi element that showed up first at Chaco Canyon. It is very prevalent at Mesa Verde. Archaeologists are unsure of it's origin.

Pueblo del Arroyo is a D-shaped Great House that rose three and four stories high in the rear stepping down to one story in front. The complex was built in two stages from 1025 to 1125AD.

Park service technicians making repairs to the walls of Pueblo del Arroyo

The remaining walls of the complex give hint to the set back style of construction that allowed all stories access to light and terraces.

On State highway 64 heading east to Taos.

Still on State Highway 64 heading east to Taos with the Taos mountains in the distance.