Discovering Ancient Paths: How Lasers Uncovered a 1,000-Year-Old Indigenous Road near Chaco Canyon Aligned with the Winter Solstice

Recent laser mapping technology has uncovered a sacred road that dates back 1,000 years near Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. Researchers now believe this ancient path was a crucial part of Indigenous rituals, connecting natural springs and aligning beautifully with the winter solstice sunrise.

Previously, scholars thought the road at the Gasco site was shorter and primarily linked Indigenous communities. However, the new studies show this road stretches nearly 4 miles long and runs parallel to another unexpected road. Both paths align perfectly with the sunrise over Mount Taylor, a mountain still revered by Indigenous peoples today.

The findings at the Gasco site, located about 50 miles south of Chaco Canyon, suggest that these roads were more than just transportation routes. They played a significant role in the Indigenous cosmological belief system. Research lead Robert Weiner, an archaeologist at Dartmouth College, mentioned that studying these roads is reshaping our understanding of what a road symbolizes.

Using lidar technology, the researchers mapped the area and identified the road’s extensive path. They confirmed their discoveries with fieldwork conducted in 2021 and 2022, publishing their findings in the journal Antiquity.

Along with the main road, a nearly parallel road was found to the south, as well as a “herradura” — a horseshoe-shaped rock structure likely used as a roadside shrine. These details hint at a rich cultural landscape intertwined with ritual practices.

The Chaco culture, which flourished between A.D. 850 and 1250 in the American Southwest, is known for its impressive pueblo buildings. Weiner speculates it may have begun as a religious movement, although specific beliefs remain largely unknown. The decline of this culture is thought to be tied to prolonged droughts and other crises.

Several modern Indigenous groups, including the Hopi and Zuni, trace their ancestry to the Chacoans. The Diné (Navajo) also inhabit the same region, making the area rich in historical significance.

The design of the roads, commonly found in other Chacoan sites, may represent a dualistic aspect of their cosmology, with both practical and ceremonial purposes. Each road was quite wide, about 30 feet, more than necessary for foot traffic, indicating they held importance beyond mere utility. Some sections also featured stairways and earth mounds lining the edges.

Weiner pointed out that the herraduras likely served as focal points for rituals during seasonal processions, supported by the discovery of pottery shards and possible religious offerings in the area.

Stephen Lekson, an expert on Chaco culture, noted that the ancient road network resembles the size of Ohio and preserves significant geographical and cultural elements. However, he raised concerns over threats from current energy projects on public lands that could harm these historical sites.

Source link