Birthday Sunrises on a Chaco Canyon Horizon

The eastern horizon as seen from one of the most astronomically remarkable structures in Chaco Canyon -- a Great Kiva that some call Casa Rinconada

This tabletop activity features the eastern horizon as seen from one of the most astronomically remarkable structures in Chaco Canyon -- a Great Kiva that some call Casa Rinconada. There are many different names for the place given by the 21 Native American tribes who have historical and ancestral connections to Chaco. This activity invites participants to consider how the sunrise position on the eastern horizon changes throughout the year and how this can be used to create a so-called “horizon calendar.” Their inquiry is guided by a live facilitator.

  • Facilitator Guide and poster printing instructions: (PDF, 18 MB)
  • Download: Tabletop Poster (printing instructions for this 4' x 1' banner are in the Facilitator Guide appendix)