For many of us in Australia, when we think of North American
Indians, we tend to think of the great tribes such as the Navajo,
Apache, Commanche, Cheyenne and Sioux. In days gone by, many of
these peoples were nomadic, following the herds of buffalo and
living in portable dwellings such as tepees.
However, there was an earlier wave of migration into North America
across the land-bridge from Asia. Some of these people settled in
the Southwest and are often referred to as the Anasazi or Ancient
Pueblo people. After initially being nomadic, they settled down to
an agrarian existence and maintained stores of maize. Initially
they constructed moulded adobes but between around 800AD to 1200AD
they were involved in elaborate stone masonry, including using
mortar.
The development of agriculture and and the innovation of stone
masonry were usually precursors to modern civilization as we
think of it today and the Anasazi constructed large and complex
buildings, often with hundreds of rooms. An Indian culture
involved in stone masonry is perhaps something that does not
always come to mind for many of us who live outside of North
America.
One of the most important Anasazi sites was at Chaco Canyon, in
what is now New Mexico, several hours drive north of Albuquerque.
At this place, the structures were very elaborate indeed and the
ruins of many are still there to be admired to this day.
With cameras in hand, we walked around Pueblo Bonito, one of the
largest and most impressive structures still remaining At Chaco
Canyon. A labyrinth of rooms with impressive stone masonry leads
outdoors to large rounded pit houses, called kiva, which were used
for religious gatherings. As a backdrop to the town, the canyon
wall looms tall. In 1941, a large section of the canyon wall which
the Anasazi referred to as Threatening Rock, peeled away and
crushed many of the structures. On the walls of the canyon are
mysterious petroglypths and art.
Visiting Chaco Canyon also gave us an opportunity to drop in say
hello to John Sefick. John was one of the key people who set up
the astronomy outreach facility which is part of the visitor's
center for the Park. John showed us the 25" Obsession on a
platform in the dome as well as the CCD imaging hut and the
outdoor telescope pads complete with power. We visited John in his
cabin where he was analyzing the data from a supernova search from
the night before. John is a regular visitor to Australia and so it
was good to see him on his home turf and in a place he obviously
loves. See
http://www.astronomy.org/chaco/mission/index.html
There is much evidence that the Anasazi were keen observers of the
sky. For example, the alignment of some buildings seems
intentional to assist them determining events such as the
solstice. Some suggest one famous petroglyph at Chaco is a
representation of the 1054 Supernova, the remnant of which we
observe today as the Crab Nebula.
When we asked John whether there was anyone we could talk to about
archeoastronomy, he introduced us to G.B. Cornucopia. We all sat
at an outdoor table under the shade of a big umbrella where GB
generously entertained us for about an hour. GB answered all our
questions and raised many interesting points. We departed Chaco
excited and stimulated by our conversation with him. See
http://www.exploratorium.edu/chaco/HTML/refs-bios.html
John insisted that next time we come back, we stay longer and get
some observing in. Chaco's combination of natural beauty,
archeological wonders, dark night skies and a long history of
astronomy along with several large aperture modern telescopes
available for use, it is an offer to good to refuse.
Best Regards
Gary Kopff
Mt. Kuring-Gai
I'll send another e-mail and try to get a more accurate date.
