Chaco Canyon, NM - UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Place: Chaco Canyon, NM

Weather: Partly cloudy, stray shower or thunderstorm possible, 54/82F.

Route: From Grand Canyon 365 miles east on AZ-64 S, I-40 E, NM-371 N.

Significance: The four corners area (Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah) of the United States is rich in Native American culture. Chaco Canyon was the the center of that culture from 850-1250 CE. There are many impressive ceremonial buildings showing sophisticated architectural and masonry methods. People would come from hundreds of miles away to participate in ceremonies here. Also, given the distance from urban areas and the clearness of the New Mexico skies - it is an International Dark Sky Park. 

Websites: UNESCO World Heritage Site, National Park Service.

Video:

Images:

Pueblo Bonito - the largest great house in the canyon (from sci-news.com)

A large kiva, which is where the ceremonies would take place (from seirraclub.com)