Chacoan World

Leader: Dave Wilcox
Dates: May 5–9,2009 (5 days / 4 nights)
Cost: $1095 Members / $1155 Nonmembers
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Cost includes transportation, hotel (double-occupancy; add $50 for single lodging), and all meals, and group gear.

Nearly 1,000 years ago, people of the Southwest created the Chacoan World of great houses and great kivas linked by a complex road system. MNA Senior Curator of Anthropology Dr. David R. Wilcox, recently named Archaeologist of the Year, leads this exploration of Chaco Canyon and associated archaeological sites in New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. Visit a major great house and great kiva site en route to Chaco Canyon. Explore “downtown Chaco,” the ritual precinct for the Chacoan core community. See the restored great kiva at Aztec Ruin and other great houses at Wijiji, Pueblo Pintado, Salmon, and Escalante Ruins. After visiting the Anasazi Heritage Center, we will spend a night at Recapture Lodge, explore the Bluff and Cottonwood Falls great houses and a petroglyph panel along the San Juan River.

Pre-Trip Information Packet (PDF Downloads)

» Itinerary [21 KB]
» Equipment List [17 KB]
» Medical/Waiver [33 KB]

David Wilcox Dr. David R. Wilcox, recently named Archaeologist of the Year, has headed MNA’s Anthropology department since 1988 to 2006. Read more...

“…Chaco Canyon was something we have always wanted to do, and with MNA we had Chaco Canyon plus.” —C.K.

“The educational aspect of the trip was superb. I never expected to come away with such a rich appreciation of the archaeology and anthropology of Chaco. David was totally engaging every time he spoke, and encouraged us to draw our own conclusions.”—B.K.