This Great Kiva, located in the eastern-most plaza area of the Chetro Ketl Great House at Chaco Culture National Historical Park New Mexico, like Aztec kivas was a ceremonial, ritual space. Kivas are large subterranean rooms consisting of unusual features such as large vaults, wall crypts, and imported pottery. Great Kivas could measure over 20 meters in diameter.
Chaco Anasazi used beautiful masonry bricks in their structures. Edifices in Chaco Canyon date as far back as 1062-1090 A.D.
Inside wall of the Great Kiva, showing the hollow rectangular firebox made of stone and an associated masonry fire screen near the center of the kiva. The function of the 2 x 1 meter vaults at Chetro Ketl is unclear, but the excavated potsherds, turquoise fragments, anthracite and calcite beads suggest rich ceremonial use.
