Solve the mystery of the mystical "tree of life" in the United States
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In the XII century BC when the world was ruled by pharaohs and kings, in the American States of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and new Mexico lived members of the Indian Anasazi culture. They are known for having built a huge Pueblo Bonito, on the main square, which grew to 6-foot pine. As nearby settlements do not grow other trees, it was believed that giant pine tree was for the people of the Anasazi sacred and used in . Recently, however, this assumption was rejected, because American scientists have found that the original tree grew in a completely different place.
Tree of life
About how scientists were able to dispel myths about the "tree of life" Pueblo Bonito, was described in a scientific journal . The settlement area of 8000 square meters, consisting of more than 650 rooms, was first discovered in 1849 by U.S. army Lieutenant James Simpson. Initial excavations were carried out from 1896 to 1900, during which archaeologists found the room and other parts of the city. The remains of a tall tree species Douglas fir (Pinus ponderosa), which was given the title "tree of life", was only found in 1924.
Photo from the excavation of Pueblo Bonito
Pine was found underneath the top layer of soil and scientists were amazed that the tree survived well even after a few hundred years. Expedition leader Neil Judd shared that the tree had huge roots, so in those days, scientists believed that the tree was originally growing in its place. But then researchers have come to believe that they are only dealing with parts of the roots, not the entire root system. Besides, at the time of detection, the tree lay on the ground, so you can assume that it had no sacred status and the ancient inhabitants of Pueblo Bonito dragged him from a completely different place.
This assumption was proven after scientists studied tree rings inside the trunk and found evidence that tree is grown in the mountain range Chuska. It is located about 80 kilometers from Pueblo Bonito, so researchers can't even imagine how the ancient people managed to move a huge pine tree at so great a distance. Most likely, the representatives of the ancient culture did not cut down the tree, and it fell by itself. One would assume that the barrel was dropped, but nearby, archaeologists found no such traces. Also they don't know what state the tree was put inside the city — it could stand as a pillar or lie down together with other logs intended for construction.
Cross section of the specimen taken from a tree found in the square of Pueblo Bonito
Mysteries of ancient times
Anyway, at this point the myth of the sacredness of the tree inside the Pueblo Bonito can be considered dispelled. But the mysteries were shrouded in not only wood but also the town itself. The fact that people clearly did not live on a permanent basis, because the earth was not the found objects, which the representatives of Indian culture Anasazi used daily. It turns out that people visited this place only on special occasions and temporarily lived in hundreds of small "houses", some of which were multi-storey. Most likely, during meetings, people share the sacred knowledge and rituals used to be performed.
Inside Pueblo Bonito could be carried out sacred rituals, but the tree obviously did not play any role
In General, the Pueblo Bonito can be called as important historical site like Stonehenge in the UK. But it is not as well preserved as it could, because it was built in a very dangerous place. Next to the building was located 30-meter cliff, some of which weighed more than 30 thousand tons, and for many centuries was in danger of collapse. That is why she was known as Threatening Rock, which can be translated as "threatening rock". Eventually in 1941, and the rock damaged one of the large walls of the city and caused damage to some dwellings.
"Threatening rock" before and after the fall
In General, on our planet of a great many historical sites, surrounded by mystery. For example, located in the southeastern Pacific Easter island are more than 800 huge statues called moai. The locals still believe that there is a supernatural force of the ancestors. But recently researchers found that they were used by ancient people for other purposes. Read more about this discovery, read our .
Recreated on the computer image of Pueblo Bonito with a huge pine tree in the main square.
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