Chaco Meridian facts for kids

The Chaco Meridian is like an invisible, straight line that runs north and south through some very old Native American sites. These sites were built by the Ancestral Puebloans, who lived in the southwestern United States a long time ago. Two important sites on this line are Aztec Ruins and Chaco Canyon. Further south, in northern Mexico, is another site called Paquime at Casas Grandes.

An archaeologist named Stephen H. Lekson came up with a theory about this line. He believes that these ancient cities were built almost exactly on the same longitude line (about 107°57'25" west). He thinks this wasn't by accident! Instead, he suggests it shows a special connection between these places. He believes it was a way for the leaders of the Ancestral Puebloans to move their main capital city over time.

The Chaco Meridian: An Ancient Mystery Line

What is the Chaco Meridian?

Imagine a long, invisible line stretching from north to south. This is the idea behind the Chaco Meridian. It connects several important ancient cities built by the Ancestral Puebloans. These cities include Chaco Canyon and Aztec Ruins in the United States. It also reaches down to Paquime in Mexico.

Stephen Lekson's Big Idea

Archaeologist Stephen H. Lekson studied these ancient sites. He noticed they all lined up almost perfectly on the same north-south longitude. He proposed that this alignment was planned. He thinks it shows a strong link between the cities. This link might have been about ceremonies or even political power. Lekson's main idea is that the leaders of the Ancestral Puebloans moved their main city over time. They followed this special line.

Clues from Ancient Buildings

Lekson's theory is based on how the buildings look. He found similar features in the architecture of these sites. For example, they all have colonnades, which are rows of columns. They also share unique T-shaped doors. Another common feature is room-wide platforms. These shared designs suggest a connection between the builders.

A Journey Along the Meridian

Lekson believes the Ancestral Puebloans moved their capital city along this line. First, they left Chaco Canyon. They then settled north at Aztec Ruins around the mid-1100s. Later, around the mid-1200s, they moved south again. This time, they traveled along the meridian to Paquime. There's even an ancient road, the Chacoan Great North Road, that follows part of this line. It starts at Chaco Canyon and ends near Aztec Ruins.

New Discoveries Along the Line

In 2009, Lekson updated his list of sites on the "meridian." He added Shabik'eschee, which is close to Chaco Canyon. He also included Sacred Ridge. This site is north of Aztec Ruins, near Durango, Colorado. These additions further support his idea of a connected line of sites.

Debates Among Archaeologists

Not everyone agrees with Lekson's theory. Some archaeologists, especially those who study the Southwest, have questions. They point out that the everyday items found at these sites are quite different. They argue that these differences mean the sites might not be as connected as Lekson suggests. However, many experts do agree on one part of the theory. They believe that people from Chaco did move north. They think these Chacoans settled at Aztec Ruins in the late 1200s. They brought their way of life and perhaps their capital with them.

Who First Found the Meridian?

While Lekson developed the theory, he noted that James Q. Jacobs first discovered this alignment. Jacobs named it the "Chaco Meridian" in 1990.