Mesa Verde Spruce Tree House

Here are just two of several dioramas that were constructed by Civilian Conservation Corps workers in the 1930's.

Mesa Verde - Part II

The alcove on the left is Oak Tree house

Further along the cliff face is Cliff Palace

This Land was Their Land - Mesa Verde

Mesa Verde has long been on my bucket list.  I marvel at the structures when I see photos.  Having watched several videos of the area, I finally got to see it for myself.

The ancestral Pueblo people settled here around 550 A.D.  Yes, long before Europeans came and took the land away.  As a matter of fact, the Pueblo people left the dwellings in the late 1200's.  The cliff dwellings were discovered in the 1800's and have been extensively excavated and studied.  But since the Pueblo people had no written language, there is much that remains unknown.  Our guide told us that he had Pueblo blood on his mother's side of the family.  He was very informative.  Here are some of my photos.

A second-generation pit house.

A third evolution of a large pit house.  Pit houses were entered through the roof.  They were in use from 550 to 750 A. D.

The structure had eight kivas and at least 60 rooms.  It was reached by ropes and ladders up the cliff face.  Below is a view of the cliff face showing the placement of the dwelling.

As I am struggling with some meds to treat a sinus infection, I will save my other pics for another day and call it a night.