Chaco Canyon

Casa Rinconada Big Kiva, originally uploaded by Edgee.

After we spent the day driving in southwestern Colorado, we drove to Chaco Culture National Historic Park in New Mexico. The park contains ruins from the center of Chacoan culture, people who lived in northwestern New Mexico more than 1000 years ago. The ruins that were left behind, such as Chetro Ketl, and Pueblo Bonito, and Casa Rinconada, are interesting to walk through and imagine what this area was like 1000 years ago. One of the most famous features of the Chacoan Culture, are the giant kivas, like the one shown here. These were places of worship for the Chacoan people. Another interesting thing about this area are the smart ravens. They are so smart and coordinated, that they can open people’s tents.