2. Chaco Canyon (New Mexico)
Nestled in the high desert, Chaco Canyon stands as a center of ancient innovation and spirituality. Between 900 and 1150 AD, the Ancestral Puebloans constructed monumental stone buildings here, including multi-story “great houses” and vast ceremonial plazas aligned with celestial events. Walking among these ruins, it’s easy to sense their sophisticated engineering and social complexity. Chaco Canyon remains a place of wonder and mystery, attracting researchers and visitors alike. Discover more at the NPS Chaco.
