SEASON 3 // EPISODE 2: THE TRADE OF CACAO
A special drink in special jars at Chaco Canyon
What do three pieces of 1000-year-old pottery from the desert of Chaco Canyon have in common with the rainforests of Mexico?
“The Southwest was always part of a very large interconnected area - that included Mesoamerica - that shared certain beliefs about the world.”
Cacao Tree (Theobroma cacao) // NPS PHOTO
In this episode of Season 3, we hear from Dr. Patricia Crown, Professor of Anthropology at the University of New Mexico. Dr. Crown led a groundbreaking study which recently concluded that folks at Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Canyon were consuming a drink made from cacao - a plant that can only be grown in environments much farther south, in Mesoamerica.
We also hear from Hopi archaeologist Lyle Balenquah and traditional Pueblo textile artist Louie Garcia about the use of cacao in their communities today.
Looking for more?
Well, you’ve come to the right place.
Chacoan Cylinder Jars on Exhibit
The National Museum of the American Indian
Located in Washington, D.C. in the Mrs. Thea Heye Collection
American Museum of Natural History
Located in New York City, New York
Museum of Indian Arts and Culture
Located in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Chicago Field Museum
Located in Chicago, Illinois
NOTE: Some of these museums and exhibits may be temporarily closed due to COVID-19.
PHOTO // THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDAN
PHOTO // AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
New Mexico professor traces chocolate’s ancient path
Article by Susan Montoya Bryan Associated Press // Sept. 26, 2019
Pre-Columbian Chocolate Discovered at Chaco
Read more about the study of the cylinder jars at Chaco Culture National Historical Park, and the drink made using cacao beans.
Photo // AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Pueblo bonito doorways // nps photo
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
To find more information about the collections at Chaco Culture National Historical Park - or to plan a visit - check out their website or follow on Facebook.
