Kin Klizhin (Chaco Outlier)
Kin Klizhin · Kin Klizhin, Kin Kletso outlier
Pueblo II-III; Chaco outlier·Chacoan McElmo outlier / local Red Mesa synthesis·🇺🇸 New Mexico, Chaco Canyon, Kin Klizhin Wash south, United States
About
About Kin Klizhin (Chaco Outlier)
Isolated McElmo-affinity great house outlier (c.1085 CE) in Kin Klizhin Wash south of main canyon — small 50-room ‘L-shaped’ great house with tower (?) and causeway toward Chaco. Informs Chaco outlier scatter: isolated outlier at 10 km with agricultural check dams, showing local Red Mesa–Chaco emulation rather than colonist preplan. Heavily eroded McElmo veneer.
Why it mattersType for ‘emulated outlier’ rather than planned colony; expands Chaco outlier diversity beyond classic D-shape.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Is Kin Klizhin built by Chaco colonists or local Red Mesa with Chaco pots?
- 02Causeway as formal road or wash diversion berm
Theories
- 01Cameron emulation vs Lekson direct colony continuum
- 02Kin Klizhin as agricultural node vs shrine outlier
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.1085 CE L-plan foundation; McElmo reuse c.1120 CE
- Period
- Pueblo II-III; Chaco outlier
- Culture
- Chacoan McElmo outlier / local Red Mesa synthesis
- Builders
- Local Red Mesa builders emulating Chaco plus McElmo masons
- Purpose
- Wash-mouth great house on Chaco South Road fringe
- Abandoned
- c.1180 CE abandonment
- Rediscovered
- Surveyed 1930s Vivian; BLM Bristol record 1970s
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1085 CE
L-shaped great house built with Chuska timber
1120 CE
McElmo veneer re-facing after Chaco core collapse
On the ground
Structures & features
36.0370° N · 107.8530° W · 1850 m · 2 mapped features
L-shaped great house
great house50-room L-plan with causeway
36.0373° N · 107.8535° WCauseway to Chaco
roadBerm causeway north toward South Road
36.0380° N · 107.8530° W