Pueblo Bonito, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico

© Ian Shive/Tandem Stills + Motio

If these walls could talk.... Chaco Culture National Historic Park, New Mexico

For hundreds of years, New Mexico's Chaco Canyon served as a major cultural centre for Ancestral Puebloans as their communities took root and flourished. However, with long winters, little rain, and short growing seasons, the high desert wasn't the easiest place to live. Despite these challenges, the Pueblo people found ways to thrive in the austere region. Today, the Chaco Culture National Historical Park offers a glimpse into the ancient Pueblo people's culture, traditions and values. The site is home to remnants of prehistoric ceremonial and public buildings, called great houses, which are characterized by an architectural style unique to the Pueblo culture. These large homes are modelled after ancient cliff dwellings and are made of limestone blocks or adobe bricks. Pueblo Bonito is the biggest and most popular great home in the park.