The Sun Daggers of the Fajada Butte

History Revealed

Fajada Butte, a striking geological formation rising from the desert floor in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, is more than just an imposing landmark. It is home to one of the most intriguing astronomical phenomena left behind by the ancient Puebloan people—the Sun Daggers. Discovered in 1977, these precisely aligned beams of light interact with a spiral petroglyph carved into the butte, marking key solar events like solstices and equinoxes. This remarkable combination of natural and human-made features provides insight into the sophisticated understanding of astronomy possessed by the ancient inhabitants of the region.

Fajada Butte’s Piercing Sun Daggers       

Fajada Butte is an isolated landform located within Chaco Canyon, a region in northwestern New Mexico known for its impressive archaeological sites. The butte stands at around 400 feet (120 m) above the surrounding canyon floor, making it a standout feature in the landscape. It was formed through millions of years of geological processes, including sedimentation and erosion, which left behind layers of sandstone, shale, and siltstone. 

The area around the Fajada Butte was once inhabited by the Ancestral Puebloans, also referred to as the Anasazi from 900 to 1150 AD. During this period, known as the Chacoan era, the Puebloans oversaw the construction of impressively complex architectural structures like great houses, kivas (ceremonial rooms), and roads. These structures suggest they were a highly organized culture that held advanced knowledge of astronomy, agriculture, and engineering. 

Fajada Butte in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. (Rationalobserver/CC BY-SA 4.0)