Chaco Canyon, Winter 2009

[shovelbum]

It is my understanding that the north road ends in a stair case (now partially collapsed) down into Kutz canyon. I read that Michael Marshall believes that the shipap is there. The references I have are from the notes in "Anasazi America" by David E. Stuart. He notes: "White 1960: 89." and "Stevenson 1884: 67-68."

Here's an interesting link: http://www.solsticeproject.org/greanort.htm

I'm excited to look into that. Thank you very much for the references. I'm particularly interested in the roads. They're similar to (but certainly not identical to) some features in central AZ that I did my thesis on. I made the argument that the AZ ones were ceremonial racetracks. Historically, Puebloan racetracks have been very connected to prayer for rainfall and solar continuance. Both of those, in turn, are related to the underworld. I'm not saying the Chacoan roads were racetracks, but who knows? Another theory out there is that they were paths "through time" in that several run between non-contemporaneous settlements, linking communities to past villages. I asked an associate who works in those parts whether the "new" pueblos were built at the ends of "old" roads or if the "new" community built a "new" road connecting its pueblo to an "old" one. He said no one had ever systematically looked at it, but that it was his impression the latter was true; that Post-Chacoan communities built pueblos near abandoned Puebloan settlements and then constructed "roads" between the two. That said, there were obviously roads at Chacoan greathouses that did NOT lead to any other architecture. That leads me to suspect that at least some Post-Chacoan sites were intentionally built at the end of roads. It's interesting to think of the sipapuni angle because all historic Puebloan people see their "past" as being underground, in an earlier world. So if the great north road was linking Chaco Canyon to the past (i.e., underworld), it would make sense for other roads to link Post-Chacoan sites to Chacoan ones. Interesting. Thanks again for the refs. I'm going to check them out. Will

 

[Abel Villesca]

It would appear that at least the north road is largely ceremonial in purpose. There doesn't seem to be much evidence of trade and there is evidence of ceremonial gatherings at or near the terminus and in the ruins at El Faro and those at Pierre's complex. I am interested in hearing what you discover or learn and conclusions you draw based on your experience and education. The Anasazi have been a passion of mine since the days my parents drug me around cliff dwellings and petroglyphs.

cheers,

 

[mtsport03]

We went in and out on the south road. I had heard a lot of bad things about it but I honestly don't know what people were talking about, unless they were in a Honda Civic lowrider. It's a washboard dirt road, but wide and regularly graded. I put it in 4-high because of the snow, but could have easily done it in 2wd. I can see mud being a problem at times, but nothing horrible. You shouldn't have any problem at all with it. Have a great time!

Sounds good. Thanks.