Prehistoric Long-Distance Transport of Construction Beams, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico

Substantial evidence indicates that timber resources were extracted from the southern Chuska Mountains of the Defiance Plateau around A.D. 1030-1100.

“Substantial evidence (Betancourt, Dean & Hull 1986; English et al. 2001; Guiterman, Swetnam & Dean 2016; Reynolds et al. 2005) indicates that timber resources were extracted from the southern Chuska Mountains of the Defiance Plateau around A.D. 1030–1100.”

Betancourt et al. (1986) argue that post A.D. 1100 the North Road may have connected the Chaco core with timber resources in the San Juan or La Plata mountains.

“Betancourt et al. (1986) argue that post A.D. 1100 the North Road may have connected the Chaco core with timber resources in the San Juan or La Plata mountains.”

The North Road and Mexican Springs Road were selected because of their close proximity to timber resource locations that would have been increasingly accessed in the eleventh and twelfth centuries A.D.

“In this case, we selected the North Road and the Mexican Springs Road as the basis for our corridors, because of their close proximity to timber resource locations that would have been increasingly accessed in the eleventh and twelfth centuries A.D. (Betancourt, Dean & Hull 1986; English et al. 2001; Guiterman, Swetnam & Dean 2016; Reynolds et al. 2005).”

Many timbers were imported into Chaco Canyon from peripheral locations at distances of around 75 kilometers.

“a growing body of evidence suggests that many timbers were imported into Chaco Canyon from peripheral locations at distances of around 75 kilometers (Betancourt, Dean & Hull 1986; English et al. 2001; Guiterman, Swetnam & Dean 2016; Reynolds et al. 2005; Windes & McKenna 2001).”

Betancourt, Dean & Hull (1986) calculated average beam size at ~5 m in length, and ~266 kg in weight.

“Betancourt, Dean & Hull (1986) calculated average beam size at ~5 m in length, and ~266 kg in weight.”

Recent research has reiterated the occurrence of long distance timber importation to Chaco Canyon.

“The intent and use of these features has eluded archaeological consensus, although recent research has reiterated the occurrence of long distance timber importation to Chaco Canyon.”

Timber resources were extracted from the southern Chuska Mountains of the Defiance Plateau around A.D. 1030-1100.

“Substantial evidence (Betancourt, Dean & Hull 1986; English et al. 2001; Guiterman, Swetnam & Dean 2016; Reynolds et al. 2005) indicates that timber resources were extracted from the southern Chuska Mountains of the Defiance Plateau around A.D. 1030–1100.”

Post A.D. 1100 the North Road may have connected the Chaco core with timber resources in the San Juan or La Plata mountains.

“Betancourt et al. (1986) argue that post A.D. 1100 the North Road may have connected the Chaco core with timber resources in the San Juan or La Plata mountains.”

The North Road and the Mexican Springs Road are in close proximity to timber resource locations that would have been increasingly accessed in the eleventh and twelfth centuries A.D.

“In this case, we selected the North Road and the Mexican Springs Road as the basis for our corridors, because of their close proximity to timber resource locations that would have been increasingly accessed in the eleventh and twelfth centuries A.D. (Betancourt, Dean & Hull 1986; English et al. 2001; Guiterman, Swetnam & Dean 2016; Reynolds et al. 2005).”

Betancourt, Dean & Hull calculated average beam size at approximately 5 m in length and approximately 266 kg in weight.

“calculated average beam size at ~5 m in length, and ~266 kg in weight.”

The North Road and the Mexican Springs Road were selected as the basis for the corridors because of their close proximity to timber resource locations that would have been increasingly accessed in the eleventh and twelfth centuries A.D.

“we selected the North Road and the Mexican Springs Road as the basis for our corridors, because of their close proximity to timber resource locations that would have been increasingly accessed in the eleventh and twelfth centuries A.D.”

Assuming 12 individuals carried each beam, each individual was carrying approximately 22.19 kg.

“Assuming 12 individuals carried each beam, as supported by previous calculations regarding team size, porter spacing, and beam metrics”