May
04
/ 2025
A recent DNA analysis has confirmed what the Picuris Pueblo people of northern New Mexico have long claimed was passed down through their oral traditions—that they share a deep ancestral connection with the ancient people of Chaco Canyon, one of the most famous and well-preserved Native American archaeological sites in the United States. This is the first time a federally recognized Indigenous tribe in the US has had access to genetic data that proves their connection to ancient ruins and people, making this discovery a true breakthrough in DNA-based archaeological research. The Picuris Pueblo, a sovereign nation located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, about 60 miles (95 kilometers) north of Santa Fe, thrived in the past. Around 1600 its
