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Show 2T Tfce Salt Like Tribune Sttadsy, November 27, 1983 New Mexico Chaco Canyon Did it come from Mexico or was it devised by Chaco astronomers living and working on Fajada Butte? Although hiking is permitted in most of the canyon, Fajada Butte is off limits. Permits are available but must be obtained through the Ntional Park Office located in Santa Fe. TRADE Science is split into two camps as to the development of trade in Chacoan society. One believes that the Chaco culture was a controlled trade outpost for the Toitec civilization of Mexico, perhaps the same way Great Britain was an outpost for ancient Rome. What did Chaco have that Mexico wanted? CoatkBed from Page T-- l clous courtyards and giant subterranean Kivas, (circular shaped Atoms thought to be used for religious and ceremonial rites) with secret entryways, do more than just entice the visitors imagination. Cut and carried by hand from forests 70 miles north, giant timbers used in Bonitos construction, when tested by advanced wood dating techniques, prove that Pueblo took more than 130 years to build. Because of its complei architectural design, it had to have had a master plan. With the average life span of only 40 years, Pueblo Bonitos architect d(ed more than 100 years before its completion. Including 600 rooms at the Pueblo Bonito and other pueblos (city towns) there were more than 2,000 rooms in Chaco at the beginning of the end. laby-rinthi- Turquoise. Although not found in the canyon itself, large deposits of turquoise, rare and highly prized in Mexico, radius. are found. within a During the excavation of Pueblo Bonito, as many as 50,000 handqtolished pieces of turquoise were unearthed. The other camp maintains that trade was a natural progressive outgrowth of the society itself. As the society grew, so did the range and influence of trade, until it reached far south into Mexico. Either way, Mexican influence can be seen in the late Chacoan architecture and is evidenced by the unearthing of pottery, jewelry, copper trinkets and bells (the Chacoans had no metals). Parrot and macaw remains, whose plummage adorned ceremonial dressing gowns were also found, along with turquoise inAnother kind of laid hand-tooltrade, much more difficult to document and define, is the pi actice of trading songs and chants, used in religious and political affairs. Hopi Indians, thought by some to be the descendants of the Anasazi, still trade songs and dances and believe that he who possesses many songs and chants is a respected citizen. 100-mi- le ROADS AND OUTLIERS Not until the mid 1970s, utilizing newly developed aerial photography, was the size and complexity of the Chacoan road system realized. Aerial scrutiny revealed more than 400 miles of roadway and added another set of unanswered questions for visitors to ponder. In a society without the wheel, horses or beasts of burden, why did they build roads more than 30 feet wide? Why did they build roads over formidable cliffs and ravines, chopping out steps over the former and filling in the latter, when easier routes were available? What is the reason for the remarkably straight roadways, reaching 50 miles into the surrounding wastelands and that seem to go nowhere? s. Albuquerque archeologist, D. Marshall says, The engineering of the Chaco road system may have required more energy Mi-che- al than building the great pueblos and outliers combined. It is known that manyof these roadways led to the outlying communities in the surrounding area, which played a significant part In the Chaco story. They were suppliers of food for the canyon residents and they V&rticpated in trade and religious ceremonies. RELIGION at least It is fair to assume some of the unanswered questions of Chaco lie within the realm of religious belief and practice. We have no way of knowing what the Ancient Enemy believed, or what powers they paid homage to. We can only study what they left behind and make educated guesses. Many experts believe that Chaco was not a trade or population center at all, but rather a spiritual capital for all the Anasazis. Like the Sikhs of India, whose annual pilgrimage to the cave of Abernath draws hundreds of thousands of believers who gladly endure four days and nights of treacherous mountain pathways to participate in the wonder and .spiritual awakening found at the mountain temple cave, the Anasazi may have come from the hundreds of "outliers to participate in grand religious ceremonial rituals at the Chaco pueblos. During these celebrations, the pueblos 2,500 rooms would bouse devotees. The remain-de- r of the year, only spiritual lead- - tat THE SUN DAGGER Recently national and international interest focused on the Chaco culture when New York photographer artist Anna Sofaer, discovered a atop the 443-foFajada Butte located at the south end of the canyon. Spring and fall equinoxes and summer aiM winter solstices are marked by rays of sunlight guid- ed between stone slabs and cast downward bisecting a circular on a rockwall below. This Sun Dagger observatory calendar turns topsy turvy established scientific ideas and theories about 4 the Indians, catapulting the inhabitants into an intellectual and achievement rank never before considered. It has also fueled much debate regarding its origin. sun-clo- ck ot pet-rogly- er agrar-ianbuild- National Monument in northern New Mexico contains the ruins of many great Indian communal dwellings, the largest being Pueblo Bonito. It was exca rated in the 1920s by the National Geographic Society. Chaco Canyon ers, builders and maintenance crews resided there. DISAPPEARANCE After 2,000-plu- s years, the Chaco Anasazi disappeared. They most likely returned to the nomadic ways of their ancestors, touching the earth lightly and disappearing into the endless vistas and empty horizons of the expansive Four Corners landscape. Many factors that aided the development of the Chacoan culture could be the same ones that caused its demise. Like other societies, the greater the population (outliers included), the lesser level of Their departure might be linked to a devastating drought, rendering their farmland barren and creating both economic paralysis and starvation.. It could have been a complete breakdown of social economic, political and religious establishments, brought on by overpopulation, tribal disputes or diminishing resources. Whatever it was, it seems to have afflicted the society simultaneously, no single part able to respond to the others needs, all falling like dominoes to their end. After surviving more than 4,000 seasons, the threats of today could spell disaster for the 25,000 Anasazi sites located in the Four Corners area. Hundreds have already been desecrated by pot hunters who can make as much as $500 to $1,000 for a single Anasazi pot Oil and gas exploration and coal and uranium miping could spoil archeo-logicallsignificant sites that might help explain the many unanswered questions in the Anasazi legacy. y ACCOMODATIONS ideal times to visit Cbaco, affording fewer people and the beauty of changing weather patterns and their visual effect on the ruins and surrounding canyon walls. The U.S. Park Service operates a year-roun- d campground one mile form the Visitor Center, located at the south end of the three mile canyon. Tables, fireplaces and central toilets are provided and water is available at the Visitor Center. Turnouts are also available for small trailers, but have no utility connection. Trailers or RVs over 30 feet long cannot be accomodated and camping is limited to 14 days. One way to tour the ruins is by d walks given periodically throughout. the day. Tour ranger-conducte- Located in northern New Mexico, Chaco Canyon National Monument is open year round. Because of the recent discovery of the Sun Dagger the annual visitor rate has jumped from less than 25,000 five years ago to more than 75,000 last year. Fall, winter and spring are times are available and well marked pathways help vistors see the park while preserving the ruins. The Visitor Center contains excellent exhibits, books, pamphlets and postcards, and there is always a ranger on duty to answer questions and issue back-countr- permits, a y requirement for back-countr- ers. Large, clean and lavatories are also available. To get to Chaco Canyon National Monument from the north turn onto New Mexico 44 outside of Farming-ton- , N.M.. When you reach the Blanco Trading PostN.M 57 junction, turn right. Follow N.M. 57 for 30 miles to the parks north entrance. For individuals who prefer the luxury of motel rooms and restaurants, both Farmington to the north and Santa Fe to the south, offer excellent accomodations and reasonable meal prices. We were pleasantly surprised by the gas prices, 10 cents cheaper per gallon than in Utah, Arizona or Colorado. user-friend- ly REGULATIONS The appropriation, injury, destruction or removal of any object of antiquity, or the excavation or destruction of any ruin is unlawful and is strictly enforced. American Discov 35 1 in the West Join over 2,000 people every week who diecover the best with American Discovery Tours. We're (TI1 firgnrtt RENO ....... 0Q3ffl9& hik- y ,$149. From p air 2 nights. Republic Choice of Onslow or Sands Hotel, transfers, 4 meals and more. 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