Nageezi in San Juan County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Ancient Astronomers
Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 22, 2018
1. Ancient Astronomers Marker
Atop Fajada Butte Chacoan skywatchers commemorated the movement of the sun and the seasons. Sunlight passed between three boulder slabs onto a spiral petroglyph to mark the sun's position on the summer solstice, winter solstice, and the equinoxes.
The Chacoans had sophisticated knowledge of the sun and moon as shown in this and other sites. Sun watching continues to play an integral role in the Pueblo world. Pueblo people use such markers to plan their agriculture, to set the ceremonial calendar, to integrate the physical and spiritual worlds, and to seek balance and harmony for all people.
Our modern interest in this site may have forever impacted it. In 1989, researchers noticed that the light pattern on the spiral had shifted, due to the slight slipping of the slabs. This may have resulted from human-caused erosion to the base of the rocks.
Fajada Butte is closed to all access due to its fragile nature.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1989.
Location. 36° 1.706′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in New Mexico’s Navajo Nation and in the San Juan Basin. It is also in the American Southwest, in the Mountain West, in Colorado Plateau, and at the Four Corners. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fajada Butte (here, next to this marker); Chaco: A World Heritage Site (approx. 0.4 miles away); Chacoan Stairway (approx. 3.4 miles away); Casa Rinconada Community (approx. 3.6 miles away); Chetro Ketl (approx. 3.7 miles away); Pueblo Bonito (approx. 3.7 miles away); Chaco Culture (approx. 3.9 miles away);
Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 22, 2018
2. Ancient Astronomers Marker
Ancient Astronomers Marker is on the right.
Also see . . .
1. Fajada Butte. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 15, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
2. Chaco Culture. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on July 15, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 22, 2018
3. Ancient Astronomers Marker
Ancient Astronomers Marker is on the right.
Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 22, 2018
4. Fajada Butte
Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 21, 2018
5. Chaco Culture National Historic Park - Fajada Butte
Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 323 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 15, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
