Tuesday, November 5, 2013

UNM 2013 Archaeological Field School - Day Ten in Chaco

By Pablo Flores


It was Day Ten  at Chaco Canyon and we all awoke to a beautiful scene as it had snowed the night before. All of Chaco Canyon was covered in a thin layer of white that reflected the sunlight as it rose. Although it made for a gorgeous morning in the canyon, it as was a cold one with the wind blowing in from the south. As we made our way to the site where once the Wetherill Homestead and Trading Post had been to continue our work, we were given the chance to explore and photograph the snow covered Pueblo Bonito - this was an opportunity I had been hoping to get the entire time we have been in Chaco Canyon. With the snow it heightened the already mysterious and awe inspiring Pueblo Bonito and created a picture-perfect moment that any photographer would want to have. The snow also prevented sound from vibrating off the canyon walls as it typically does making it seem unnaturally quiet except for the laughter and talk from the students as they wondered about Pueblo Bonito.
After visiting Pueblo Bonito we returned to each of our units and began the last bit of work required in order to be finished before this coming Thursday – our last day in Chaco Canyon. For some of us this meant completing profiling, which requires mapping the changes in soil composition of your unit walls, using a Munsell soil chart to identify the color of each defined layer of soil and determining soil texture using a Feel Flow Chart. Others continued excavating their units due to continued interest in what was being found or had not been found, and some performed various tasks on the site as instructed. The morning progressively got colder as wind increased and clouds thickened causing many – including myself – to wish for a cup of hot chocolate, however we made due with a hot cup of coffee with some cookies.
We were all surprised to discover that the afternoon plans were to take a hike out to the unexcavated Great-House called Tsin Kletsin, which is located on the top of South Mesa. The hike is about three miles long with the first part being entirely uphill. Along the way one can get a great view of Pueblo Bonito, Chetro Ketl and Casa Riconada (Downtown Chaco). Further up the trail Pueblo Alto and New Alto become visible on the top of the other side of the canyon with the La Plata Mountains in the backdrop. These are not the only great views to see as South Mesa provides a variety of spectacular views of the surrounding landscape in and around Chaco Canyon. Today was one of the best days I have had in Chaco Canyon, which is a challenge in itself since every day in Chaco Canyon is wonderful in that there is always something new to discover.       

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