A recent dig in the Chaco Canyon region has uncovered five ritual offering pits paved with intricate turquoise mosaics. These pits were located at the base of a Great House and contained charred remains of a rare blue-hued maize, pointing to a specific "Blue-Corn" harvest festival that dates back to the 11th century.
The turquoise pieces were cut into the shape of raindrops and corn kernels, suggesting a ritual focus on moisture and agricultural abundance. This discovery highlights the spiritual significance of color in Ancestral Puebloan ceremonies and provides a new perspective on the complex social gatherings that occurred in the American Southwest.