Chaco Rock Art Matters

Chaco rock art plays a crucial role in understanding the Chaco culture and its regional significance, contrary to its historical neglect. The study argues that integrating rock art into archaeological research can clarify perceptions of Chaco's social affiliations, ideologies, cosmologies, and worldviews. While Chaco is renowned for its monumental architecture—such as great houses built between 900 and 1140 CE—the region's rock art has been overlooked despite its potential to provide insights into cultural dimensions often expressed through visual media. The research emphasizes that rock art, like other material culture elements, can serve as a symbol of group association or sociopolitical affiliation, challenging the traditional focus on architecture alone. By analyzing rock art within Chaco Canyon, this study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the 'Chaco Phenomenon,' moving beyond speculative models of centralized systems and offering new perspectives on its cultural and political landscape.

Schaafsma, P. (2018). Chaco Rock Art Matters. Journal of the Southwest, 60(1), 42–73. https://doi.org/10.1353/jsw.2018.0003