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Could You Live In A Cliff Dwelling?
One thousand, four hundred years ago, the Ancestral Pueblo people moved into an area of south-western Colorado in the United States. Named Mesa Verde, it means “green table” in Spanish. All canyons and cliffs, the Ancestral Puebloans began to create a life for themselves in this new, and very rugged, location. We have the opportunity to see what life was like for the Ancestral Pueblo people by visiting Mesa Verde National Park. With a number of sub-mesas to see, there are many dwellings, as well as artifacts of these early inhabitants. The Park
Mesa Verde is a World Cultural Heritage Park, a designation granted by UNESCO to preserve and protect the cultural and national heritage of certain international sites. Mesa Verde has also been selected the #1 historic monument in the world by readers of Conde Nast Traveler, and was chosen by National Geographic Traveler as one of the "50 places of a Lifetime--The World's Greatest Destinations." On June 29, 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt established Mesa Verde National Park to "preserve the works of man," the first national park of its kind. Today, the continued preservation of both cultural and natural resources is the focus of the park's research and resource management staff. The Ancestral Pueblo People According to the National Park Service, “about 1,400 years ago, long before Europeans explored North America, a group of people living in the Four Corners region chose Mesa Verde for their home. For more than 700 years they and their descendants lived and flourished here, eventually building elaborate stone communities in the sheltered alcoves of the canyon walls. Then, in the late A.D. 1200s, in the span of a generation or two, they left their homes and moved away. Mesa Verde National Park preserves a spectacular reminder of this ancient culture.” The Dwellings There are five large dwellings at Mesa Verde: Cliff Palace (the most recognizable and arguably the most famous), Balcony House, Spruce Tree House, Long House, and Step House. Since the swellings are set into the cliffs, getting to some of them can be a challenge – the National Park Service describes the tour to Cliff Palace as: “Mesa Verde’s Largest Cliff Dwelling -This one-hour, ranger-guided tour involves climbing five, 8-10ft (2.6-3m) ladders, on a 100ft (30m) vertical climb. Total walking distance is about 1/4-mile (400m), round-trip. The tour begins at Cliff Palace Overlook, an 8-mile (13km), 20-minute drive from the Visitor Center.” On the other hand, they describe Spruce Tree House as “Best-Preserved Cliff Dwelling - (Early November to March) This cliff dwelling is open year-round, however during the winter months, it is available by free, ranger-guided tour only. This one-hour tour involves a 100ft (30m) descent and ascent on a winding path. Walking distance is 1/2-mile (1km) round trip. Tours begin at the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum. During the spring, summer, and fall (early March to early November), Spruce Tree House is available on a self-guided basis.” If You Go...
A tour of the park should start at the Far View Visitor Center (15 miles from the park entrance) for information and orientation. While you’re there, pick up Junior Ranger booklets for your children. By completing the activities while they are exploring the park, they will receive a Junior Ranger badge, and have fun learning about the park! The Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum displays dioramas illustrating Ancestral Puebloan life. There are also many exhibits of prehistoric artifacts, a chronology of Ancestral Puebloan culture, and other items related to the park.
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Contributor's Note
Mesa Verde National Park is a fantastic destination to include on your itinerary. With something for everyone, it is fun as well as educational.
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Pictures of the Cliff Dwellings
| National Park Service - Mesa Verde National Park
| Mesa Verde Tourism Information
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