Centuries ago, the inhabitants of Chaco Canyon were engaged in creating grand structures characterized by intricate masonry, even extending their influence to regions as distant as Mexico. However, within a short span of time, the site faced a significant decline, with scant evidence suggesting the same cultural practices re-emerged in other areas. The fate of the Chaco Canyon people remains a mystery, leaving questions about their migration unaddressed.
During the period when construction flourished in Chaco Canyon, smaller pueblos began to emerge in the northern Rio Grande Valley, located hundreds of kilometers away. These communities have persisted into modern times in New Mexico, although they experienced considerable population declines following European contact. The connection between these modern pueblos and the ancient Chaco culture had remained uncertain until now. Recent genetic research conducted by members of Picuris Pueblo has revealed that they share the closest genetic ties to the Chaco people identified to date, corroborating elements of their oral histories.
A pueblo-initiated study
The recently published paper detailing this genetic relationship features contributions from members of the Pueblo government, including its current governor. The initiative for this study came directly from members of the Pueblo community, who partnered with archaeologists to collaborate with DNA experts at the Center for GeoGenetics at the University of Copenhagen. In a press briefing, Pueblo representatives expressed their awareness of the potential of DNA studies, which have gained prominence in criminal investigations and ancestry research. The leaders of Picuris Pueblo viewed this as an opportunity to gain insight into their origins and to explore aspects of their oral legends linking them to the broader tradition of Pueblo builders.
After two years of consultations, the collaborative effort established a research plan that allowed ancient DNA specialists to access both ancient remains from Picuris Pueblo and samples from current residents. This data was utilized to generate comprehensive genome sequences.
The findings reveal a notable continuity within the population of Picuris. The ancient skeletons studied were dated between 500 to 700 years old, aligning with the onset of European contact, while some were even older. They exhibit robust genetic ties to the inhabitants of Chaco Canyon, where DNA samples from local remains have also been analyzed. The study concludes that “no other sampled population, ancient or present-day, is more closely related to Ancestral Puebloans from Pueblo Bonito [in Chaco Canyon] than the Picuris individuals are.”
