TOEFL Integrated Writing Practice Test 061Chaco Canyon

By the twelfth century A.D., the settlements in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, were distinguished by their “great houses,” large stone buildings containing hundreds of rooms and standing three to four stories high. Archaeologists have long debated the purpose of these impressive structures, and while no single explanation has gained universal acceptance, three main theories have emerged.

One theory suggests that the Chaco buildings served as residential complexes, housing hundreds of people. Proponents of this idea view the Chaco great houses as earlier versions of the multi-roomed architecture seen in later Southwest societies, such as the famous “apartment buildings” in Taos, New Mexico, where many people have lived for centuries.

A second theory posits that the great houses were used for food storage. Maize, a staple crop of the Chaco people, could be stored for extended periods without spoiling, providing a reliable food supply. Given the size of the great houses, they would have been well-suited for storing large quantities of maize.

A third theory argues that the Chaco structures were primarily ceremonial centers. Near one building, Pueblo Alto, archaeologists uncovered a large mound of old material, which contained an unusually high number of broken pots. This evidence suggests that Pueblo Alto may have hosted special gatherings where participants consumed festive meals and then discarded the pots used during the ceremonies. Similar ceremonial practices have been documented among other Native American cultures.