/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer_public/5f/12/5f12561c-f3ea-414b-b8ce-04c0e92ef826/27819357084_a8682d0e07_4k_web.jpg "Unveiling the Origin of Timber in Chaco Canyon | Scientific Exploration")
Timber beams are a prominent feature of Pueblo Bonito, the largest of the Great Houses in Chaco Canyon. The question of where these timbers came from and how they were transported has intrigued archaeologists for years. The Ancestral Puebloans who built these structures had to rely on an organized labor force to harvest the necessary trees, as well as develop strategies for transporting the massive timbers to the construction site.
Around 1,000 years ago, these Ancestral Puebloans camped in a pine forest far away from Chaco Canyon, dedicating themselves to the task of harvesting trees. They used stone axes to carefully weaken the base of the trunks until the trees could be felled. Afterwards, the bark and branches were removed, and the logs were shaped into long, straight timbers. Over the course of 300 years, these workers harvested an estimated 240,000 trees.
The size of the timbers was impressive, with primary roofing beams averaging 8 to 10 inches in diameter, 15 feet long, and weighing several hundred pounds. However, the challenge was that the forests near Chaco Canyon did not contain the straight, tall trees necessary for construction. Pinyon pine and juniper trees were abundant in the area, but they did not grow in the desired shapes for rectangular rooms in large, multistory buildings.
To solve this problem, the Ancestral Puebloans had to look further afield for suitable trees. Through scientific methods such as microscopic analysis and strontium isotope testing, researchers have determined that the timber for Chaco Canyon was sourced from mountain ranges over 50 miles away in present-day Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. The Ancestral Puebloans selectively harvested trees from the Chuska Mountains to the west, the San Mateo Mountains and Mount Taylor to the southeast, the La Plata and San Juan Mountains to the north, and possibly even Hosta Butte to the south.
These studies have revealed the remarkable extent of the Ancestral Puebloans’ resource management and trade networks. The harvesting area covered approximately 7,500 square miles, an area larger than modern-day Rhode Island and Connecticut combined. This demonstrates the Ancestral Puebloans’ ability to travel long distances, gather resources from distant sources, and engage in trade with other societies.
Despite these discoveries, many questions still remain. It is unknown how the Ancestral Puebloans chose which trees to fell each year or whether they managed their resources sustainably. The exact composition and organization of the timber crews also remains a mystery. However, it is clear that the construction workers had to transport these massive timbers along the extensive road system of Chaco Canyon. The timbers bear no damage consistent with a long roll, and the regional rivers were not suitable for timber transport. It is possible that the workers used tumplines, carrying straps around their heads, to ease the burden.
In conclusion, the discovery of the origins of Chaco Canyon timbers has shed light on the remarkable abilities and resourcefulness of the Ancestral Puebloans. Their ability to harvest and transport these massive timbers over long distances without wheeled vehicles or draft animals is truly awe-inspiring. It is yet another reason to marvel at the ingenuity and accomplishments of the Ancestral Puebloan residents of Chaco Canyon.
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Shambhu Kumar is a science communicator, making complex scientific topics accessible to all. His articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
