DNA links modern Picuris Pueblo tribe to ancient New Mexico site

A groundbreaking study has established a genetic connection between the modern Picuris Pueblo tribe and the ancient inhabitants of Pueblo Bonito, a monumental “great house” in New Mexico’s Chaco Canyon, a UNESCO World Heritage site revered for its architectural splendor and profound cultural significance to Indigenous peoples. Published on April 30, 2025, in the journal Nature, the research, led by the Picuris Pueblo in collaboration with geneticists and archaeologists, analyzed DNA from ancient remains at Pueblo Bonito, 16 individuals buried at the Picuris Pueblo site 500 to 1,500 years ago, and 13 present-day tribal members. The findings confirm a strong genetic link, validating the tribe’s oral histories and strengthening their ancestral claims to Chaco Canyon, a sacred landscape central to Pueblo culture.

The Picuris Pueblo, a federally recognized tribe based near Taos, New Mexico, initiated the study to address decades of marginalization in discussions about Chaco Canyon’s preservation, particularly amid debates over oil and gas drilling in the region. Frustrated by the U.S. government’s dismissal of their concerns, tribal leaders sought genomic evidence to complement their traditional knowledge. “Overlooked and erased,” is how the tribe felt, according to Craig Quanchello, who was tribal governor when the research began and now serves as lieutenant governor. “This was something that we could do on our terms,” Quanchello said, emphasizing the tribe’s control over the study’s scope and data.

Genetic evidence affirms oral traditions

Chaco Canyon, located in northwestern New Mexico, was a thriving hub of Ancestral Puebloan (formerly Anasazi) culture from approximately 800 to 1150 A.D. Its iconic structures, including Pueblo Bonito—meaning “beautiful town” in Spanish—feature intricate sandstone masonry and served as ceremonial, administrative, and trading centers. Pueblo Bonito, the largest of Chaco’s great houses, is among the most significant pre-Columbian structures in the United States, though its exact function remains debated. The canyon’s cultural and spiritual importance endures for the 19 Pueblo tribes in New Mexico, as well as other Indigenous groups like the Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni.

The study compared ancient DNA from nine individuals buried at Pueblo Bonito between 800 and 1130 A.D., previously analyzed in a controversial 2017 study, with newly sequenced DNA from 16 Picuris individuals dating to 1300–1500 A.D. and saliva samples from 13 current Picuris members. Led by geneticist Thomaz Pinotti of the University of Copenhagen, the analysis revealed that Picuris individuals, both ancient and modern, share rare genetic markers with Chaco Canyon’s inhabitants, establishing the closest genetic relationship identified to date. “Although traditional knowledge supports such a link, the Picuris community sought genomic affirmation to complement continuing preservation efforts that focus on Chaco Canyon and the vast ancestral Pueblo landscape that it was part of more than 1,000 years ago,” Pinotti said.

The research also demonstrated genetic continuity within the Picuris population, suggesting a stable community of approximately 3,000 individuals before a drastic 85% population decline following Spanish colonial rule in the mid-1500s. Today, the Picuris Pueblo numbers just 306 members, making their voice historically underrepresented in Chaco Canyon policy discussions.

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A model for Indigenous-led research

The Picuris Pueblo’s leadership in this study marks a significant departure from past scientific practices, which often exploited Indigenous remains without consent. A 2017 genetic study of Pueblo Bonito remains sparked outrage due to its lack of consultation with tribal communities, prompting the Picuris to prioritize data sovereignty in their research. The tribe retained full control over the DNA data, study parameters, and publication decisions, choosing to incorporate the 2017 data to advance their goals. “It wasn’t an easy decision,” said Picuris Governor Wayne Yazza, a study co-author. “This is life-changing data.”

This collaborative model, involving archaeologists like Mike Adler of Southern Methodist University and geneticists from the University of Copenhagen’s Globe Institute, sets a precedent for ethical research with Indigenous communities. Adler, who has worked with the Picuris for over 30 years, noted that Western scholars previously underestimated the tribe’s ties to Chaco Canyon due to differences in pottery and architecture, such as the Picuris’ use of subterranean pit houses. “Even though every day in class, we tell our students, ‘pots aren’t people,’ we fall into the same pitfall,” Adler said, acknowledging the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with scientific inquiry.

The study’s findings do not challenge the ancestral connections of other Pueblo tribes or Indigenous groups to Chaco Canyon. “Chaco Canyon is a really important and sacred place for a lot of Indigenous groups in the Southwest U.S., including because it’s where their ancestors lived. There’s already tons of evidence for this: archaeology, anthropology, ethnography, and the oral histories passed down by the Indigenous communities themselves,” Adler said. The researchers limited their analysis to Picuris DNA at the tribe’s request, ensuring the study focused on their narrative without speaking for others.

Strengthening tribal sovereignty and preservation

The genetic evidence bolsters the Picuris Pueblo’s efforts to assert greater influence over Chaco Canyon’s future, particularly in light of ongoing controversies over natural resource extraction. A 2023 U.S. government restriction on new oil and gas drilling near the canyon faces legal challenges from the Navajo Nation, and a potential repeal under the incoming Trump administration threatens the site’s environmental integrity. The Picuris, along with two other New Mexico tribes, have recently gained permission to oppose the Navajo lawsuit, amplifying their advocacy for preservation.

“We steered this ship in the hopes that using technology in the Western way, they would now listen,” Quanchello said. “We’ve been telling our stories for as long as time immemorial. Our elders have always known we’ve been here, and come to find out, everything we felt and knew was just validated.” The study’s results empower the Picuris to demand a “seat at the table” in policy decisions, reinforcing their cultural and legal claims to Chaco Canyon as a sacred ancestral landscape.

However, proving genetic lineage does not guarantee legal recognition of land rights. Joseph Yracheta of the Native BioData Consortium noted that U.S. courts often require additional evidence, citing the Tāp Pīlam Coahuiltecan Nation’s struggle to protect ancestral burial grounds at the Alamo. “So they have the data,” Yracheta said. “What’s next?” The Picuris are exploring how to leverage their findings to strengthen preservation efforts, potentially influencing federal policies and public perceptions.

Implications for future research

The Picuris-led study offers a blueprint for Indigenous-scientific partnerships, emphasizing tribal agency and ethical standards. Past controversies, such as the Havasupai tribe’s 2004 lawsuit against Arizona State University for unauthorized genetic research, highlight the need for community-driven approaches. Katrina Claw, a Navajo geneticist, praised the study’s inclusion of Picuris traditional knowledge alongside genetic data, signaling a shift toward more equitable research practices. “I think we’re entering an era where ethical standards have changed,” Claw said.

The research also opens avenues for further genomic studies, though many tribes remain cautious due to historical exploitation. The Picuris’ success may encourage other Pueblo communities to pursue similar analyses, potentially clarifying migration patterns and cultural connections across the Southwest. For instance, the study challenges theories of a complete regional exodus after Chaco’s decline around 1150 A.D., suggesting instead that some populations, like the Picuris, maintained continuity in the region.

Chaco Canyon’s significance extends beyond archaeology, embodying the living heritage of Pueblo peoples. “It’s super important that we don’t talk about Chaco in the category of ‘lost civilizations,’ like the Egyptian pyramids or Stonehenge,” said Paul Reed, a preservation archaeologist at Archaeology Southwest. “That notion is particularly damaging because it disenfranchises the Pueblo people who live all around the canyon to this day.” The Picuris Pueblo’s genetic affirmation reinforces this perspective, ensuring their ancestors’ legacy informs contemporary efforts to protect this sacred landscape.

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