An exploration into the past

From the Coastal Plain to the High Desert

July 25-26, 2014

A Return Visit to Mesa Verde

Fig. 1 - Location of Mesa Verde and its area of influence
between the Colorado and San Juan River basins

Fig. 2 - Climbing from the Colorado Plateau to
Mesa Verde National Park.
The high points of the mesa are at 8,600 feet above mean
sea level.  The mesa tops near the cliff houses are at
around 7,000. The valleys below are around 6,500 feet
in altitude.

        After the guided visits with the Crow Canyon study group, I returned to the park to continue my journey of exploration into the past.  I was able to revisit some of the same sites, but at different times.  

I also explored other major sites, as well as some of the rarely visited mesa top sites. This gave me the opportunity to study in greater detail some of the settings, orientations, construction techniques and dimensions. Anthropologists have determined the average height of a Mesa Verde man to be around 5'-5", and nearly 5' for women.  This clearly explains the proportions and dimensions of passages, doors and windows.

Fig. 3 - A "toe hold" carved on the sandstone

    

      The current access paths to the cliff dwellings have been built to allow the public a more comfortable experience, not without some challenges. They are also one way routes, with a single gate for control, and a single exit. Nevertheless, it is important to discover by observation the possible ancient paths taken by the residents of the cliff dwellings.  In some of the sites, part of the path has been incorporated into the visitor's experience.  One element to look for is the discrete, almost invisible paths when seen from the mesa top.  Another one is to discover notches or "hand and toe" holds that have been carved on the canyon walls.  The ideas of protection and defensive immediately come to mind. 

A MESA TOP SITE - PIPE SHRINE HOUSE

Fig. 4 - Pipe Shrine House.
Clay pipes found in one of the rooms inspired its name 

Fig. 5 - A typical grinding-milling station
This one is at Cedar Tree Tower

Fig. 6 - Petroglyph carved on the outside wall of one
of the Far View buildings. It overlooks the mesa top
sloping away.  This site had custody of the water
reservoir. Since it is a left hand spiral (clockwise) it
can be interpreted as a blessing going away towards
the plantings that would receive the water.

LONG HOUSE

Fig. 7 -  Long House from the entry passage.  
The village is set in a 298 feet (93 m) long alcove with a curving back wall. It contains about 150 rooms and 21 Kivas. Dendrochronology performed on the beams date the construction from 1,145 to 1,270 a. D.

Fig. 8 - Long House alcove and village. Almost equal
in size to Cliff Palace on Chapin Mesa, it was built
on a parallel canyon on the side of Wetherill Mesa

Fig. 9 - Climbing to the upper levels of Long House.

Fig. 10 - Spring behind the dwellings at Long House.
Snow or rain percolates from the mesa top through the layers of sandstone. This not only creates the alcove,
but it also provides it with reliable water.  Slow seepage is captured in small channels and catch basins.
Notice the abandoned "metates" for grinding maize, seeds, nuts and acorns.

SPRUCE TREE HOUSE

Fig. 11 - Spruce Tree House as seen from the rim of the opposite side of the canyon.  The alcove is 216 feet
 long (66 m) and 80 feet deep (27 m). The village has 120 rooms, 8 kivas and 2 towers.  There are also
a number associated ledge rooms, possibly for storage or work.  The population is estimated to have
 been around 19 households or about 60 to 90 people.

Fig. 12 - Plaza on the roofs of the public Kivas at Spruce Tree House.

Fig. 13 - Interior of a reconstructed Kiva at Spruce Tree House

Fig. 14 - Petroglyphs on a canyon wall at the foot of Spruce Tree House

A REFLECTION

Fig. 15 - A window at Cliff Palace

            Mesa Verde is a window into the past, not only of the present Pueblo people, or even of the early Americans in spite of their diversity.  It is a window into our past as human beings in our constant search for solving the challenges posed by our environment.  The solutions are there, but we must discover them and make the most out of each opportunity.  

Fig. 17 - "T" Window at Spruce Tree House

Fig. 16 - Window at Pipe Shrine

Fig. 18 - Window at Sun Temple

       





 Mesa Verde is also a window into our souls.  After the visitors leave and the sun sets, the alcoves get filled by the singing of the swallows returning to their nests. One can only imagine the noises of children playing, of the grinding stones, of chipping and building, of quiet talk and even music emerging with the smoke of the Kivas.  We can also listen to the canyons talking, the wind rising from the ravines and rustling of leaves. We can hear the souls of the ancient ones.

Key words: Texas 4th-7th grade Social Studies, Native American tribes, habitat and lifezones, cultural adaptation, Anazasi, Ancestral Pueblo, Rio Grande cultures, New Mexico and Colorado tribes, Paleo-Indians, Archaic and Classic Indians of the Southwest, Geography of the Rio Grande, Mesa Verde, Chaco, Taos, Acoma, Indian ruins, archaeological artifacts, teacher resources, Fund for Teachers, Texas.