PICTURE 1 - Pueblo Bonito Although Chacoan ruins are spread throughout the area, the really massive ruins are located just below the Chaco cliffs. Walls were well dressed, with masonry-veneers and a rubble core. The high walls were likely planned, having wide bases, and narrowing toward the top. Counting kivas, there were 5-6 stories, depending on the section. And like many of the Chacoan ruins, Pueblo Bonito was in a 'D' shape, with ceremonial kivas in the center.


PICTURE 2 - Threatening Rock Inexplicably (like everything else here), they built in the shadow of a large balanced rock, which 'unbalanced' in 1941 and purposely CRUSHED a large portion of the pueblo. The apocryphal story was that months before, archeologists had removed offerings from the base of the rock. Hmmm.


PICTURE 3 - Great Kiva We're still at Pueblo Bonito, and now looking at a Great Kiva. Compare this picture to the one at Aztec, and the one below at Casa Rinconada. To the left and right are the large foot drums, with the right one toward the back having a hole for one of several large roof supports. Imagine yourself living there and having to listen to the 'din' one-more-time. Not again!!


PICTURE 4 - Rear-Wall Section This picture demonstrates the wall construction that supports 4-5 stories. The lower portion was intentionally wider than the upper, to support the weight. Note the smoothness of the rock layers, which had to be individually dressed for use. Just looking at the size of the ruins, you have to figure they ran out of good rock nearby pretty quick!


PICTURE 5 - Pueblo Del Arroyo As with most ruins, several different groups might occupy a site over time. This one combines Chacoan styles with Mesa Verdean styles in the kiva designs. While taking the picture here, you have to imagine workmen, rock by rock, slowly building the walls upward. Someone would have to be in-charge to meet the tight design. And, many someones would have to be supporting all the workmen as they did this day after day. You couldn't just 'move to Chaco' and quickly build your pueblo.


PICTURE 6 - Casa Rinconada This Great Kiva is on the opposite side of Chaco Wash and is not integrated into a larger ruin. However, the style is very similar to the Great Kiva at Pueblo Bonita, and also the one at Aztec. Not being an expert, but I'd have to assume an increasing population required additional Great Kivas (presumably having maxed out the buildable size by virtue of the carryable logs)? It's so easy to sit on a bench there and chat with others on what it all meant.


PICTURE 7 - Small Nearby Pueblo The sun is getting dangerously near the mesa cliffs ... the park closes the ruins at sunset. But you're reluctant to leave, hanging around even the smaller pueblos and wondering who lived at the small pueblos? Why didn't they live across the wash in the large pueblo? Priests supporting Rinconada? So many questions and the sun seems determined to set. You head for the campground to continue the discussion.