Spring equinox
Casa Rinconada at Chaco Culture National Historic Park northeast of Crownpoint is the largest great kiva in the Southwest. This view is looking south. Courtesy National Park Service

Traditions from 1,000 years ago still important to pueblos today

By Vida Volkert
Staff writer

CHACO CULTURE NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK — When in the summer of 1849 Lt. James H. Simpson and his party arrived to an abandoned citadel in partial ruins at Chaco Canyon, the young officer realized almost immediately that the U.S. Military expedition was before what was left of an advanced civilization.

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