As early as the twelfth century AD, the settlements of Chaco Canyon in Mexico in the American Southwest were notable for “their great houses” massive stone buildings that contain hundreds of rooms and often stand three or four stories high. 【小题1】 While there is still no universally agreed upon explanation, there are three competing theories.

One theory holds that the Chaco structures were purely residential. 【小题2】 Supporters of this theory have interpreted Chaco great houses as earlier versions of the architecture seen in more recent Southwest societies. In particular, the Chaco houses appear strikingly similar to the large, well known “apartment buildings” at Taos, New Mexico, in which many people have been living for centuries.

【小题3】 One of the main crops of the Chaco people was grain maize, which could be stored for long periods of time without spoiling and could serve as a long-lasting supply of food. The supplies of maize had to be stored somewhere. 【小题4】

A third theory proposes that houses were used as ceremonial centers. Close to one house, called Pueblo Alto, excavations of the mound revealed deposits containing a surprisingly large number of broken pots. 【小题5】. At the ceremonies, they ate festive meals and then discarded the pots in which the meals has been prepared or served.