1966 Map of Kin Klizhin Ruins

About this map

Chaco Culture National Historical Park preserves a desert landscape defined by ancient architectural sites and ephemeral water systems along the Chaco River. This mid-1960s survey documents the topography of the West Mesa and the intricate drainage networks that sustained early inhabitants, including the Ah-shi-sle-pah Wash and Kin Klizhin Wash. Cultural landmarks such as the Kin Klizhin Ruins and Peñasco Blanco Ruins are clearly identified, situated near water sources like Padilla Well and Beyale Well. The map illustrates the geographical transition across the San Juan and McKinley County boundary, where deep washes and wide mesas provided the primary corridors for movement through this arid environment. It serves as a detailed record of the relationship between prehistoric sites and the natural terrain before modern archaeological management redefined the park's boundaries.