The Ancient Pueblo people were active in an area of the southwestern
United States known as Chaco Canyon until about AD 1130. They left behind a
number of large buildings, as well as wide, straight roadways that extend into
the surrounding region. Archaeologists initially believed the roadways were
used for transport. Items that originated thousands of kilometers away from the
canyon, such as cacao, pottery, and marine shells, have been uncovered there.
Moreover, chemical analysis has shown that trees used to build the structures
came from mountains at least 75 kilometers away.
Chaco Canyon researcher Anna Sofaer, however, believes both the buildings
and the roads served only as spiritual symbols. She found evidence that the
orientation and architecture of the structures were developed in relation to
the cycles of the sun and moon. Sofaer notes that, even today, these cycles
play an important spiritual role in the culture of people native to the area.
What is more, analysis of Chaco Canyon's geography reveals the roadways would
not have connected communities in the region in an efficient manner, and so
they were unlikely to have served a practical, physical purpose.
Most scholars now accept that Chaco Canyon was reserved for holding
religious ceremonies. Indeed, the region would have been an unlikely choice for
a permanent settlement. Surrounded by mountains, the canyon is isolated, with
short growing seasons and limited rainfall. Additionally, analysis of the
buildings shows they were not used for long-term housing. Rather, the Ancient
Pueblo people likely made use of them during seasonal journeys to the area to
participate in spiritual events.
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