Early Peoples

Chaco Canyon is located in the northwestern part of New Mexico in what is now known as the Chaco Culture National Historical Park.

There are two major phases, or styles, of construction in Chaco Canyon.  The Bonito Phase dates from 850 to 1140 CE while the McElmo Phase occurred in the late 1100’s and 1200’s.  The McElmo Phase represents a significant change in style from the Bonito Phase (pottery styles also changed during this period).  The wall shown, in two photographs, below is at the Kin Kletso great house and is an excellent example of the McElmo Phase when more uniform blocks were used in construction and tiers were more regular.

The keyhole doorway typifies Ancestral Puebloan architectural styles in the minds of many people.  The one shown below is at Pueblo Bonito.

Another Ancestral Puebloan architectural feature that most people know something about is the kiva.  The great kiva at Casa Rinconada is shown below.  Kivas are not always circular, some are square.

Many of the structures at Chaco were multi-story in height.  Vigas of Ponderosa Pine were used to support the floor of each new story.

Pueblo del Arroyo was four stories tall at its highest point and was constructed in the 1100’s, New Alto was built at about the same time.  Chetro Ketl which is one of the largest Chaco sites was built in the mid-1000’s.  Pueblo Bonito, the largest Chacoan greathouse, was occupied from the mid-800’s well into the 1200’s.