The Sun Dagger on Fajada Butte at Chaco Canyon is a petroglyph calendar where shafts of sunlight, channelled through narrow gaps between rock slabs, bisect
Photographs of ancient ruins, archaeological sites, and mysterious structures from ancient civilizations around the world. Browse high-resolution images of megalithic stonework, carved reliefs, underground chambers, and monumental architecture spanning thousands of years of human history. Each photograph includes detailed captions, photographer attribution, and links to related sites and theories for deeper exploration of the archaeological context. Our gallery covers sites from the Giza plateau and Gobekli Tepe to Machu Picchu and Easter Island, documenting the physical evidence at the heart of archaeological debates.
The Sun Dagger on Fajada Butte at Chaco Canyon is a petroglyph calendar where shafts of sunlight, channelled through narrow gaps between rock slabs, bisect spiral carvings at the summer solstice, equinoxes, and winter solstice. Discovered by artist Anna Sofaer in 1977, this solar marker demonstrates the astronomical precision embedded throughout Chacoan culture.
This archaeological photograph documents important features of ancient sites and artifacts. Captured by National Park Service, this image provides visual evidence relevant to ongoing archaeological research and theoretical debates. Browse related photographs, explore the connected archaeological sites, and learn about the theories this image relates to in our comprehensive gallery collection.