Chaco Canyon

Chaco Canyon, one wonders why settle here? Perhaps before 1250 the area was greener, the rain fall more plentiful, but not seemingly in this century. As one walks around the canyon and stops at Pueblo Bonito, you can't imagine how a large population could support itself here. How do you feed hundreds of people?

See: A Brief History of Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Trade routes must have fanned out with Mexico not too far south; okay the 2000 miles to Chichén Itzá in Yucatan, now that's far! But the distance didn't stop some trade in turquoise from the Cerrillos mines between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. And all this trade took place before the horse was introduced to North America.

When the horse came to play a prominent role in trade there were routes to the east and west, like the Old Spanish Trail leading to Los Angeles.

See: The Old Spanish Trail via NPS