Vern and Kathy Hensler, current employees at Aztec Ruins and Chaco Culture National Historic Park, will present findings tonight from a pre-Chacoan site.
The Basketmaker III habitation site, which was partially excavated during the construction of a lift station at Chaco Canyon, unearthed habitations, storage pits and thermal features that provided evidence for the manufacture of ceramics, Nathan Hatfield of Aztec Ruins said in a press release. More than 100 unfired ceramic sherds were found as well as tools with adhering clay, lumps of mixed clay, minerals and a probable firing area.
“The materials discovered suggest plain jars were being made to replace those worn out along with one type of relatively rare ceramic,” Hatfield said.
The ceramics point to southern origins or interaction and reflect the early formation of Chaco, he said.
The presentation is at the Aztec Ruins Visitor Center on Sept. 14 at 7 p.m.
For more information, call 505-334-6174 or visit http://bit.ly/Chaco0914 or facebook.com/AztecRuinsNM.