Much of what we know of these ancestral puebloan people is speculation since there was no written language and no written history - increasingly educated guesses. For instance, we no longer call these people Anasazi since this is a Navajo word which means ancient enemies. The present day Hopi, Zuni, Acoma, Laguna and other modern pueblo people are direct descendents and object to their ancestors being called by a derogatory Navajo name. The sites around Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona are still sacred to the modern natives and ceremonial events are held periodically at the ruins. The desert climate and sparce population have preserved millions of artifacts. We see 1000 year old wood at almost every site. The population of the four corners region today is perhaps 30% less than it was 1000 years ago. In one example of the effects of modern development, the McPhee Resevoir near Delores CO flooded over 2000 sites. Only 125 were excavated yielding over a million artifacts.
These Puebloan people were very industrious. They were skilled arcitects, farmers, astronomers, potters, weavers. And they were peaceful. They lived very successfully in the area for 700 years before moving on. They built the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde. They built the Great Houses of Chaco Canyon. They built roads that ran due North. They built astronomical sites that recorded the solstice, equinox and lunar standstill.
Among their descendents are some the few Native Americans not relocated by the US Army. The Taos Pueblo people have lived in the same place for over 1000 years. So far we have visited Pecos Pueblo, Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde, Canyons of the Ancients, Aztec Ruins and Chimney Rock. Check out some of our images. Double click to see a larger image.
Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde
Long House at Mesa Verde
Pueblo Bonito Great House at Chaco Canyon
Shadows at Chaco Canyon
Chacoan wall
Stephouse Pit Dwelling at Mesa Verde
Another alcove, another cliff dwelling
