Letter S

is for Sandals.
The Ancestral Pueblo people who lived at Aztec Ruins and in Chaco Canyon made sandals from yucca fiber to protect their feet in the rugged high desert environment. Sturdy, everyday sandals were plaited from thick yucca leaves and could be quickly and easily replaced when they wore out.

People also made very fine twined sandals from yucca fiber. These sandals were made with 15-20 different types of weaves and were the most complex textiles ever produced by the Chacoan people. Some had colored designs twined into them, or a raised pattern on the bottom. The raised pattern would leave a distinct and unique footprint that would identify the wearer.

These sandals were probably used for special occasions and ceremonial purposes, not daily use, as the rough desert terrain would have destroyed them too quickly. However, all examples of this type of sandal found at Aztec and Chaco are quite worn out; it's possible that a person only got one pair of these special sandals in a lifetime.

Another unique feature of Chacoan sandals is the "toe jog." This little bump-out on the outside edge of the sandals was originally made to accommodate feet with six toes. The condition of having six toes is called polydactyly, and it appeared to be more common in Chaco Canyon than other places. It also seemed to be a revered trait, and that many leaders had polydactyly. In Chaco Canyon, there are petroglyphs representing these sandals, as well as feet with six toes, on the canyon walls, and even a preserved footprint from a six-toed foot! This shape of sandal became a symbol of the Chacoan culture and connected people to their ancestors as they wore the sandals with the toe jog whether they had polydactyly or not.

What do your shoes say about you?

  • Source: www.facebook.com/AztecRuinsNM
    • Sandals
    A child's twined sandal with colored stripes across the center.


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