Many people do not realize that the history of people living in North America begins must further back than the colonists of the 1500s, 1600s and 1700s. While it is common knowledge that there were Native Americas (or “indians,”) here prior to the arrival of the colonists, many are unaware that the Native American people were actually around for several thousand years.
That being said, many people assume that America is fairly “new” in it’s history. However, that does not mean that the people here prior to immigration lacked any history of their own.
Ancient Pueblo People and Chaco Culture
Today, the group of ancient Indians who inhabited the famous Four Corners region (Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico,) are referred to as the Anasazi. The term “Anasazi” refers to the several groups of Indians as a whole, rather than acknowledging the individual tribes: Navajo, Pueblo, and the Hopi.
The Pueblo people are most well-known for the adobe and pueblo styled structures in which they lived. Today, there are modern versions of the pueblo that are still used not only in the Four Corners region but also in several other parts of the United States.
Chaco Culture Quick Facts
The Pueblo Indians (New Mexico,) the Hopi Indians (Arizona,) and the Navajo Indians (Southwest regions) were all part of the big picture: Chaco Culture.
For approximately two thousand years, Chaco Culture thrived in and around the Southwestern portion of the United States. It is the largest, most well preserved collection of remaining Pueblo style structures. Most of these structures were built between 850 A.D. and 1250 A.D..
Chaco Canyon was one of the major centers of ancient Indian cultures. According to the World Heritage Organization (a subdivision of UNESCO,) Chaco Canyon was the center “for ceremonials, trade and public activity for the prehistoric Four Corners area.” Today, Chaco Culture is regarded as a great representation of prehistoric cities.
Chaco Culture National Historic Park
Today, tourists can visit Chaco Culture National Park “every day from sunrise to sunset. The visitor center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.” but is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Included in Chaco Culture National Historic Park is the Aztec Ruins National Monument, as well as multiple other smaller, but equally significant Chaco sites.
Archaeologists estimate that due to changing water conditions in late 1200 A.D., the people of Chaco Culture began migrating west, east, north and south in search of new water sources and land.
Additional Information on visiting Chaco Culture:
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