Day 26 – Canyon De Chelly

About 230 million years ago much of the North American continent was covered with an inland sea. When the waters receded, they left behind thick layers of sand deposits. What followed was a period where the southwest became a desert with massive sand dunes. Eventually these dunes hardened into what is now know as the “De Chelly” (De-Shay) sandstone.

Over time, rivers and streams carved a steep walled canyon through the De Chelly sandstone. The high walls became a preferred location for the Anasazi (the Navajo word for “The Ancient People”), People to build their homes and live their lives for about 2,000 years.  Archaeologists have excavated and studied the ruins to learn more about the culture of a people who apparently abandoned their homes by the 1300’s. The reason they left is still a mystery.  Most archaeologists believe that a change in the climate affected the amount of water for their crops which caused the Anasazi to relocate. The Earth has gone through periodic changes in climate and will likely continue to do so regardless of whether people like the change or not.

Some of the ruins of these habitations can be seen from various locations around the rim of Canyon De Chelly which draws tourists from around the world. Looking down hundreds of feet into the canyon, one cannot help but wonder what it would be like to live nestled at the base of towering cliffs.



The vertical sandstone is marked with long dark streaks of desert varnish which is the result of water drawing out manganese or iron oxide. The dark coloring against the red sandstone adds to the character and mystery of the canyon.





As we stood on the edge of this ancient canyon, the wind blew in our faces. The wind continues to sculpt the canyon in its everchanging and intriguing way.

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