Friday, June 21, 2013

Mesa Verde Part II

After viewing the exhibits at the park headquarters we left to take the Mesa Top Loop. This is the area of the earliest settlements, the earliest being about 550 AD. Originally the Anasazi or 'ancient ones' made their home in pit houses around the mesas rim. Here's what I saw.


Click on any picture to enlarge it.


The big change since I was last here is the fact that these ruins are now stabilized and covered. In the 70's the sites were open to the elements.







Here's what they mean by canyon barriers

Another example of why it would be hard to sneak up on them.















Eventually they began to master stone construction and came out of the ground and began building above ground.






About 1200 AD the Anasazi moved off the mesa and began constructing their villages in the alcoves of the cliffs. No one seems to know why this happened or the purpose. In the late 1200's in the space of a generation or two this was all abandoned. Tomorrow we will move on to the cliff dwellings. 

Laundry was completed yesterday, so I have the entire day off to enjoy the good life.

16 comments:

  1. Great pictures. Thanks for including pictures of the explanatory signs. I enjoyed reading them. What a fantastic site to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is so exciting to see how they are preserving this area for generations to come. Great photos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks guys, it is nice to see the changes that have been made.

      Delete
  3. I'm glad to see steps have been taken to preserve this amazing site. Future generations will enjoy it as much as we do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was refreshing to see the changes that have been made.

      Delete
  4. Mesa Verde is a special place. I'm glad you enjoyed your visit!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I find this fascinating. We have not made it out West yet, but I sure look forward to it. Smiles

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are lots of things in the west to add to your bucket list. Thanks for following along.

      Delete
  6. I'm glad they did a such a great job of sheltering it from the weather. To many of these finds have been destroyed.
    Again great pictures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. With the protection you can be sure they will be here for future generations to ponder.

      Delete

Blog Archive