We climbed up and up the Mesa for what seemed like 20 miles. Driving along the Mesa we would all the sudden hit a shear drop off of a canyon. The Anasazi Indians called Mesa Verde their home for over 800 years. They originally built their pit houses on top of the Mesa. They were a hunter and gatherer society. Once their resources became scarce, they moved to the cliff dwellings. Building large "Palaces" beneath rock overhangs in the canyon walls. They would build 275 rooms for only 100 people. To reach the dwellings, they would use finger and toe holds to climb down the canyon face. Amazingly, they only lived in the cliff dwellings for 80 years.
We toured several of these well preserved homes, well preserved due to the protection of the rock overhangs. We were able to climb down into a Kiva, a ceremonial room in the dwelling. Sometimes 4 or 5 Kivas would exist in one Palace. The Kiva would have perfect air flow through air shafts leading to above. And secret passage ways out to other areas or towers. The Medicine man would look powerful when he would disappear and reappear elsewhere.
When we left Mesa Verde National Park, we drove to 4 Corners, the perfect intersection of UT, CO, AZ, and NM. We were all able to be in 4 states at once! Cool.
No comments:
Post a Comment