Professor Van Romero, Astronomer at New Mexico Tech presents:
Chaco Canyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northwestern New Mexico, stands as one of the most enigmatic and astronomically rich ancient sites in North America. Despite the absence of a written language, the Chacoan culture left behind architectural alignments, petroglyphs, and artifacts that reflect a profound understanding of celestial phenomena. This talk will explore the field of archeoastronomy and its application to Chaco Canyon, offering insight into how the Chacoans observed and incorporated the cycles of the Sun and Moon into their cultural and ceremonial life. A review of the Chacoan civilization will set the stage for a deeper investigation into their astronomical practices, including the remarkable alignments of major buildings with solar and lunar events and the engineering sophistication needed to achieve them. Emphasis will be placed on the Sun Dagger site at Fajada Butte, a dramatic example of prehistoric solar tracking that marks solstices and equinoxes with remarkable precision using light and shadow. Additionally, the talk will examine evidence suggesting long-distance cultural connections between Chaco and Mesoamerican societies over 3000 miles away, proposing that the Chacoans were part of a broader network of knowledge exchange. By exploring the integration of astronomy with architecture, ritual, and regional influence, this presentation aims to shed light on the legacy of cosmic awareness in the ancient American Southwest.