Navajo National Monument, located within the northwest portion of the Navajo Nation territory in northern Arizona, was established to preserve three well-preserved cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloan people: Keet Seel (Broken Pottery) (Kitsʼiil), Betatakin (Ledge House) (Bitátʼahkin), and Inscription House (Tsʼah Biiʼ Kin). Situated high on the Shonto plateau, the monument overlooks the Tsegi Canyon system, west of Kayenta, Arizona. It features a visitor center with a museum, three short self-guided trails, two small campgrounds, and a picnic area.
Ancient Civilizations
All Ancient Civilizations, Cultures and People
Chetro Ketl
Chetro Ketl stands as a testament to the architectural ingenuity and societal complexity of the Ancestral Puebloans. Located in Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico, this great house and archeological site has captivated historians and archaeologists alike. Its construction, which began around 990 AD and was largely complete by 1075 AD, required an estimated 500,000 man-hours, 26,000 trees, and 50 million sandstone blocks. This monumental effort resulted in a D-shaped structure that covered nearly 3 acres, making it the largest great house by area in Chaco Canyon.
Casa Rinconada
Casa Rinconada stands as a significant archaeological site within the Chaco Culture National Historical Park in northwestern New Mexico, United States. This site, located atop a ridge adjacent to a small rincon and directly across from Pueblo Bonito, offers a unique glimpse into the architectural and ceremonial practices of the Ancestral Puebloans.
Cliff Palace Mesa Verde
Cliff Palace stands as the largest cliff dwelling in North America, a testament to the architectural and communal achievements of the Ancestral Puebloans. Located in Mesa Verde National Park, Montezuma County, Colorado, this pre-Columbian structure offers invaluable insights into the lives, cultures, and resilience of its creators.
Pueblo Bonito
Pueblo Bonito, located in Chaco Culture National Historical Park in northern New Mexico, stands as the largest and most renowned great house within the park. Constructed by the Ancestral Puebloans, the site was occupied from AD 828 to 1126. It is recognized as the most thoroughly investigated and celebrated cultural site in Chaco Canyon, serving as the epicenter of the Chacoan world from AD 850 to AD 1150.
Autun
Autun, a subprefecture of the Saône-et-Loire department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of central-eastern France, holds a significant place in history, dating back to its foundation during the early Roman Empire. Originally named Augustodunum by Emperor Augustus, the city served as a Roman capital for the Gallic people Aedui, replacing their political center at Bibracte, located approximately 25 km away. The strategic relocation and the establishment of Augustodunum underscore the Roman Empire’s efforts to consolidate its power and influence over the Gallic territories.