The Chaco Meridian is a north-south axis on which lie the Ancestral Puebloan sites, Aztec Ruins and Chaco Canyon, as well as Paquime at Casas Grandes in northern Mexico. Archeologist Stephen H. Lekson developed the theorizes that the location of these sites approximately on the same line of longitude (107°57'25") was intentional, and represents a ceremonial and political connection between the sites and is due to migration of the rulers of the Ancestral Puebloan moving their capital city.
Lekson based his theory on architectural similarities between the sites, such as colonnades, T-shaped doors, and room-wide platforms. He also theorized that after the Ancestral Puebloans abandoned Chaco Canyon, they settled directly north at Aztec Ruins during the mid-12th century and then moved south along the meridian to Paquime during the mid-13th century. The Chacoan Great North Road lies near the meridian, starting at Chaco Canyon and ending near Aztec Ruin.[1]
In 2009 in Archeology Magazine, he amended the list of sites on the "meridian" to include Shabik'eschee, which is near Chaco, and Sacred Ridge north of Aztec near Durango, Colorado.[2][3]
Lekson has received criticism for the theory, primarily from southwestern archaeologists, who claim that the material culture found at these respective sights are far too different to be connected in theory. However, many archeologists agree that Aztec Ruins was inhabited by Chacoans who migrated North from Chaco and moved their capital and lifestyle to Aztec in the late 1200's. [4]
Lekson (2008) noted James Q. Jacobs discovered the meridian. Jacobs named it in 1990.
^Johnson, George (29 June 2009). "Scientist Tries to Connect Migration Dots of Ancient Southwest". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
^Creamer, Winifred (Winter 2000). "The Chaco Meridian: Centers of Political Power in the Ancient Southwest". Journal of Anthropological Research. 56: 1. doi:10.1086/jar.56.4.3630946.
Bibliography
Vivian, R. Gwinn; Hilpert, Bruce (2012), The Chaco Handbook: An Encyclopedic Guide (2 ed.), University of Utah Press, ISBN978-1-60781-195-4
Lekson, Stephen (1999). The Chaco Meridian: Centers of Political Power in the Ancient Southwest. AltaMira Press. ISBN978-0761991816.
External linksedit
The Chaco Meridian
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chaco, meridian, north, south, axis, which, ancestral, puebloan, sites, aztec, ruins, chaco, canyon, well, paquime, casas, grandes, northern, mexico, archeologist, stephen, lekson, developed, theorizes, that, location, these, sites, approximately, same, line, . The Chaco Meridian is a north south axis on which lie the Ancestral Puebloan sites Aztec Ruins and Chaco Canyon as well as Paquime at Casas Grandes in northern Mexico Archeologist Stephen H Lekson developed the theorizes that the location of these sites approximately on the same line of longitude 107 57 25 was intentional and represents a ceremonial and political connection between the sites and is due to migration of the rulers of the Ancestral Puebloan moving their capital city Lekson based his theory on architectural similarities between the sites such as colonnades T shaped doors and room wide platforms He also theorized that after the Ancestral Puebloans abandoned Chaco Canyon they settled directly north at Aztec Ruins during the mid 12th century and then moved south along the meridian to Paquime during the mid 13th century The Chacoan Great North Road lies near the meridian starting at Chaco Canyon and ending near Aztec Ruin 1 In 2009 in Archeology Magazine he amended the list of sites on the meridian to include Shabik eschee which is near Chaco and Sacred Ridge north of Aztec near Durango Colorado 2 3 Lekson has received criticism for the theory primarily from southwestern archaeologists who claim that the material culture found at these respective sights are far too different to be connected in theory However many archeologists agree that Aztec Ruins was inhabited by Chacoans who migrated North from Chaco and moved their capital and lifestyle to Aztec in the late 1200 s 4 Lekson 2008 noted James Q Jacobs discovered the meridian Jacobs named it in 1990 References edit Vivian amp Hilpert 2012 p 89 Lekson Stephen Jan 2009 Amending the Meridian Archaeology Archaeological Institute of America 62 1 Retrieved 2 July 2015 Johnson George 29 June 2009 Scientist Tries to Connect Migration Dots of Ancient Southwest The New York Times Retrieved 2 July 2015 Creamer Winifred Winter 2000 The Chaco Meridian Centers of Political Power in the Ancient Southwest Journal of Anthropological Research 56 1 doi 10 1086 jar 56 4 3630946 BibliographyVivian R Gwinn Hilpert Bruce 2012 The Chaco Handbook An Encyclopedic Guide 2 ed University of Utah Press ISBN 978 1 60781 195 4 Lekson Stephen 1999 The Chaco Meridian Centers of Political Power in the Ancient Southwest AltaMira Press ISBN 978 0761991816 External links editThe Chaco Meridian nbsp This article relating to archaeology in the United States is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Chaco Meridian amp oldid 1071305639, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
