Solving the Mystery of the Southwest’s First Capital

Chaco Canyon, in the bleak deserts of northwestern New Mexico, is an unlikely setting for a regional center and capital. But so it was in the 11th and 12th centuries A.D. Chaco’s ruins captured public and scientific attention in the late 1800s and has ever since remained a “mystery” – Why there? What were its “Great Houses”? Why did it fall? 

Dr.  Stephen Lekson plans to answer those questions. Lekson is the Curator of Anthropology at the University Of Colorado Museum Of Natural history. He will present information from recent excavations at Chimney Rock, a Chaco “outlier” and a new understanding that may to some extent “solve” the mystery.

On Friday, February 8, Dr. Stephen Lekson will speak about this mystery at 7 p.m. in room 108 of the Psychology building at UCF. The event is free and open to the public. There will be a one dollar charge for visitor parking. A reception will follow the presentation.