MORE ABOUT
ABOVE-GROUND STRUCTURES

Anasazi building styles varied with time, the availability of materials, the urgency of the construction project and the skill of the builder. As the Ancient Ones began to build from the ground up, they may have started with jacal before they moved into pure masonry building techniques. In what looks like a natural evolution from pithouse construction, loosely spaced wooden stakes or poles were plastered with mud to make walls. As jacal construction evolved, stone slabs were placed around the base, and courses of stone were laid up around the outside. The next logical step was to build exclusively with stone.

An Example of jacal construction

Masonry walls often consisted of a core of rough, irregular loose stones finished on two sides with a veneer of shaped stones. Sometimes the mason would fashion a wall from a single or double course of larger, more regular blocks of sandstone or limestone. Anasazi masonry became quite elegant and refined over time. Both the stone and jacal structures were fitted with a roof similar to that of the pithouse — sturdy poles overlain with a lattice of slender poles, branches and brush. A layer of mud finished the job.

Masonry wall with a veneer of shaped stones

Doorways were narrow and short, like the people. Sometimes they were T-shaped. Some archaeologists suggest that the top portion was wider so that shoulder-borne burdens could be brought in more easily and that a blanket could be draped on the shoulders of the narrower bottom to keep out some of the cold air in the winter. Others suggest the T-shape was for defensive purposes. Some modern-day Hopi elders say that the shape of the doorway is symbolic of the Hopi worldview, like their traditional hair style.

Left: T-Shaped Doorway
Right: T-Shaped Doorway with blanket

Surprisingly, even the best masonry work was often hidden — coated inside and out with a smooth layer of mud. Today, it is still possible to see walls plastered more than seven centuries ago, many with the original whitewash, hand painted designs and the designer's handprints.

Mesa-Top Structure at the
Manitou Cliff Dwellings

In general, Chaco has the finest examples of Anasazi masonry. Mesa Verde's cliff dwellings are best known. Although it has wonderful architectural specimens, the masonry of the Kayenta area is the least carefully executed.

Mesa Verde

HOME   -  CONTACT US  -  GIFT SHOP  -  GLOSSARY  -  MUSEUM  
PLAN YOUR VISIT  -  PRESERVE  -  TABLE OF CONTENTS  -  WELCOME

Copyright 2008 ©