What DNA Revealed About Chaco Canyon’s Ancient Population Is Extremely Interesting!

Описание: What DNA Revealed About Chaco Canyon’s Ancient Population Is Extremely Interesting!

In the heart of Chaco Canyon, inside the massive stone complex of Pueblo Bonito, a sealed crypt known as Room 33 held a secret that completely reshaped our understanding of ancient power in North America. For decades, historians believed Chaco’s leaders were ceremonial figures whose authority was temporary—but DNA extracted in 2017 from nine elite burials revealed something extraordinary: every individual shared the same mitochondrial lineage, proving that power was passed down through a single maternal bloodline for over 300 years. Surrounded by more than 11,000 turquoise beads, exotic shells from distant coasts, cacao residue, and rare ceremonial objects, this was not just a burial site—it was a dynastic tomb. Isotope evidence further showed that while most elites were local, some came from distant regions, highlighting a vast trade and influence network stretching hundreds of miles. But around 1130 AD, severe drought struck, construction stopped, and the powerful matriline abruptly disappeared from the archaeological record. Today, genetic links connect this ancient dynasty to modern Pueblo peoples, turning what was once considered a lost civilization into a living legacy. This is the story of how one burial chamber—and a strand of DNA—rewrote the history of the American Southwest.