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Chaco Culture National Historic Park
The
park was created as Chaco Canyon National Monument in 1949 on lands deeded
from the University of New Mexico. The richness of the cultural remains in
the park led to its expansion into the Chaco Culture National Historic Park
in 1980 and the addition of 13,000 acres.
A multi-agency Chaco Culture Archaeological Protection Site program is dedicated to protect Chacoan sites on adjacent Bureau of Land Management and Navajo Nation lands.
An architectural complex known as the Great House is
a cultural marker of the Chacoan period. While there are variations, the
Great Houses, share distinctive physical characteristics,
including
large size, obvious planning, generally south-facing orientation, predominantly
multi-story, rooms organized into suites, and T-shaped doorways and stone
lintels.
Great Houses at Chaco Canyon : Panasco Blanco; Casa Chiquita; Nuevo or New Alto; Pueblo Alto; Kin Kletso; Pueblo del Arroyo; Pueblo Bonito; Chetro Ketl; Tsin Kletzin; Hungo Pavi; Kin Nahasbas; Una Vida; Wijiji
The Chaco Collection
The Chaco Collection contains approximately one million artifacts from over 120 sites in Chaco Canyon and the surrounding region. Because most of the artifacts were systematically collected and documented, the collections are extremely valuable for scientific studies.
The
Archive documents over 100 years of excavation in Chaco Canyon, and contains
approximately 300 linear feet of records, 30,000 photographs, 7,000 color
slides, 600 glass lantern slides, 2,000 maps, 1,000 manuscripts, and field
notes, reports, and other written records.
Sacred Place
Fajada
Butte, a prominent landscape feature of the Chaco region, is and a sacred place
for the Pueblo, Hopi, and Navajo peoples, figuring prominently in the people's
oral histories, migration stories, and ongoing traditions. Atop the butte, the
Sundagger site, atop the butte, is one of many that commemorates the passage of
the sun in the Chacoan world.
The Sundagger structure, an ancient solar and lunar observatory,
is not elaborate. It is constructed of three large stone slabs wedged
upright with smaller stones. On the day of the summer solstice, a dagger of
light cast by the rising sun bisects a spiral carved into the rock behind
the stones. On the winter solstice, two daggers of light frame the spiral.
(Fajada Butte is not open to the public. All back country travel requires a permit.)
The Park
Remote and isolated, the park offers few amenities, so come prepared.
Gallo Campground, located one mile east of the Visitor Center, is open year-round. Tucked amongst the fallen boulders and cliffs of Gallo Wash, the campground offers camping in a rugged environment, surrounded by petroglyphs, a cliff dwelling, inscriptions, and a high desert landscape. There is no shade. The 48 campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping is limited to 7 days. Trailers and RVs over 30 feet in length can not be accommodated. There are no showers or hook-ups. Drinking water is available 24 hours a day in the Visitor Center parking area, where telephones are located as well. There is no gasoline, auto repair, food, or ice available in the park.
A 9 mile paved loop road accesses 5 major sites, with self-guiding trails at each site.
Four backcountry hiking trails access more remote sites and features. Free permits are available at the visitor center and at all trailheads.
Links:
Museum Collections of the Park
The Solstice Project — Lunar Markings on Fajada Butte, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico