Audio
Stop #17
Transcript
Some of the marvels of Chacoan Great Houses are the impressive architecture, fine masonry, and high-quality materials, all of which you can see in this wall. The skill of the Chaco builders is evident in the distinctive "core and veneer" masonry. The strong center of the wall, or core, is constructed using rough stones and a lot of mud mortar. This technique allowed them to build taller walls than previously possible. Finely shaped sandstone on the outside, or veneer, gave the walls the beautiful finish that Chacoan Great Houses are known for. The people of Aztec incorporated lines of green stone within some walls, the meaning of which is unknown to archeologists. Ideas shared by some Pueblos and Navajos give us insights. The stripes have been associated with water and protection for the community.
Description
The seventeenth numbered stop along the Aztec West self-guided trail.
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