Pictures from Chaco Canyon - July 4, 2013

Again, there are always more pictures than what we can include on the weekly post. This was our second trip to Chaco Canyon--it is still fascinating and makes me want to know more about the people. It doesn't appear very many people lived in Chaco Canyon, but rather that many people visited for business or ceremonial events. It is thought by some that this settlement was the "Las Vegas" of the times. Enjoy!

Hungo Pavi

Sister Steele and Sister Ashcroft

Yes, the walls do lean.

Walls are about 30 - 36 inches thick.

Chetro Ketl

Steeles, Elder Roeth, Sister Ashcroft, Sister Roeth at Chetro Ketl

Note where openings have been filled in

Wall around buildings--notice layers of thin rocks alternated with wider ones near top--typical rock work

Multiple layers of rooms

Large central kiva

Large central kiva

Ring of kivas

8-Shaped rooms

Rooms inside of rooms

Overview of some ruins

Sort of slanted rock work

Ruins

Walls are very tall

Looking through doorway

Room with steps; on mountain in background are footholds to climb rock to trail.

Pueblo Del Arroyo

Pueblo Del Arroyo

Overview of some ruins

Note three layers--timbers are roof supports for lowest level / floor for middle level

Looking through to multiple rooms

Looking over ruins with multiple kivas

Looking over ruins

Keyhole kiva

Kiva showing timbers for roof supports

Overview of ruins

Casa Rinconada

Casa Rinconada--site of one of the largest of the great kivas in the Southwest

Great Kiva--long tunnel under entry steps is lower level entry from outside

Great kiva

Great kiva, view from one of two upper-level entry rooms with steps into kiva