On our return trip to Albuquerque we stopped at the Chaco National Historical Park. To get to the Park we drove almost 15 miles on a rutted gravel road that went over a river with signs advising if there was any water we should turn back. We took a ranger guided tour of Pueblo Bonito Chacoan Great House that was occupied in 850-1250. A wall divides Pueblo Bonito into two sections which is different from other Pueblo sites. The Chacoans worshiped in buildings that had over 200 large rooms  with high ceilings. The front rooms that exited to the plaza were the largest rooms in the massive complex that stood four or five stories tall. Some of the rear walls were destroyed when huge boulders from the mountains behind the Great House crashed down the mountain. Individual homes lined the road they developed through this high dessert. Historians believe these homes were built to use as they were building the massive Great House complex. There is little rainfall in this area and the winters are long. Historians believe that the Chacoan people many have left the area because of a 40 year drought.

 Rare corner window.

 800 year old wooden ceiling!

 Rock slide that demolished a rear wall.

This area featured a different type of petroglyph on the walls. Their petroglyphs were carved into the walls unlike the others we had seen that were painted on the rocks. These petroglyphs are difficult to see.