“The Archaeology of the Chaco Phenomenon”

“The Archaeology of the Chaco Phenomenon” examines the ancient complex society centered around Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, built by the Ancestral Puebloans around 900–1150 AD. This study explores the impressive architecture, such as large stone buildings called Great Houses, and the extensive trade networks, astronomical alignments, and social organization that made Chaco a major cultural and administrative hub. It reveals how this society coordinated large-scale construction and community activities, indicating advanced planning and social complexity. Overall, it helps us understand the technological, cultural, and environmental factors that shaped Chaco’s rise and eventual decline.