Chaco Road System

The Chaco Road System was a network of well-planned, short, and straight roads built by the Ancestral Puebloans in the southwestern United States around 900-1150 AD. These roads connected major settlements, sacred sites, and great houses, facilitating communication, trade, and ceremonial activities. Constructed mainly from stone and earthen materials, they were often aligned with astronomical and landscape features. The system reflects sophisticated planning and engineering, helping the Chaco Culture thrive in a challenging environment by linking communities and supporting social and political organization.