ARCHAEOASTRONOMY AT CHACO CANYON The Rise of Chaco

ARCHAEOASTRONOMY AT CHACO CANYON

The Rise of Chaco Canyon Great Houses Chaco Canyon contains over a dozen “Great Houses” located along a 9 -mile stretch of the canyon floor, each containing between 100 and 650 rooms.

Great Houses located north of Chaco Wash

Pueblo Bonito

Pueblo Bonito

Pueblo Bonito

Reconstruction of Pueblo Bonito

Chetro Ketl

Chetro Ketl

Chetro Ketl

The Rise of Chaco Canyon Kivas

Great Kiva at Pueblo Bonito

Upper Kiva at Chetro Ketl

Great Kiva at Chetro Ketl

Casa Rinconada

Aerial View of Casa Rinconada

Casa Rinconada

Casa Rinconada

North Entrance to Casa Rinconada

The Rise of Chaco Canyon Chaco Road System

Jackson Staircase

The Rise of Chaco Canyon

The Rise of Chaco Canyon Precipitation at Chaco Canyon

The Rise of Chaco Canyon Chaco Wash

The Rise of Chaco Canyon Archaeoastronomy at Chaco Canyon

The Rise of Chaco Canyon Casa Rinconada

Casa Rinconada

Light through northeast window shines on Niche 28 during summer solstice.

Roof Post D would have blocked the light beam from shining on Niche 28

The Rise of Chaco Canyon Pueblo Bonito

Light through window Shines on wall Pueblo Bonito

The Rise of Chaco Canyon Penasco Blanco

Penasco Blanco Pictographs

Major Building Construction at Chaco

The Rise of Chaco Canyon Fajada Butte

The Sun Dagger

Summer Solstice

Winter Solstice

Whew!

Reconstruction of Pueblo Bonito

Summer Solstice