01 - Database Connection Sucessful!
RV Camping, Travel and Reviews at RV Tech Mag
WELCOME!
   Facebook    RSS Feed

Cruzer's RV TechMag is the ultimate source for technical articles, travel destinations, road tests and reviews as well as the latest and greatest RV products and accessories and editorial commentary related to the RV lifestyle. You may choose from the following selections to narrow down your area of interest.

All Articles Reviews Tech Travel Misc


Colorado

A Photo Journal of America's Rocky Mountain State
Article Date: January, 2015


/articlepics/56_colo_image-1.jpg

Mesa Verde

Mesa Verde (Spanish for Green Table) is located near Cortez, in the southwest corner of Colorado where Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah all converge at one point in the four corners region. Mesas abound in this region but Mesa Verde is a huge mesa, which is a flat topped mountain that stretches for many miles. Within the flat topped reaches of this Mesa are a number of ravines and deep canyons that taper out and widen at the south, much like a Norwegian Fjord. Within these canyon walls are found a number of cliff dwellings that were constructed by the Anasazai Indians.

The Anasazai appeared on the scene around 550 AD, at first they lived in pithouses on the top of the Mesa before evolving to cliff dwellings. The Anasazai were farmers so they constructed irrigation canals to move water around their fields. The early Anasazai lived this way for about 200 years, from 550 AD to 750AD. This era was referred to as the Basketmaker era. The Basketmakers eventually built houses above ground, using poles and mud. These early dwelling more closely resembled a motel than a house and many were clustered together. The Modified Basketmaker era extended to around 1050 AD. At this time the Classic Era began. The Anasazai now were skillful builders with adobe brick and the population reached several thousand. These pueblo builders now built many of their dwellings into the sides of cliffs and created the massive cliff dwellings that we see today. Around 1300 AD the Anasazai mysteriously left Mesa Verde. Historians don't know why they left. Was it lack of food? Were they driven out by an enemy? Was the soil depleted after centuries of farming? Traces of the ancestral pueblo builders are found in today's Hopi society but no history is brought forth to chronicle why they left. Fortunately the Anasazai weren't neat and they dumped their trash nearby. This has helped archeologists to piece together clues as to how they lived.


/articlepics/56_colo_image-51.jpg
Balcony House

One of the largest and best preserved pueblos is the Balcony House complex. The National Park Service conducts interpretive tours from the top of the rim down into Balcony House. Balcony House offered excellent protection from enemies as well as from nature.


/articlepics/56_colo_image-52.jpg
Fire Damage

In recent years Mesa Verde was engulfed by wide spread forest fires that swept across the Mesa during a drought. The ash from these trees now fertilizes new meadows and wildflowers and begins a new season of regrowth.


/articlepics/56_colo_image-50.jpg
Square Tower

Tucked underneath a ledge is Square Tower. This pueblo is noted for its tall tower that still remains. The elements have taken a toll on this pueblo over the years and much of the pueblo has been damaged by the falling overhang and the elements.


/articlepics/56_colo_image-49.jpg
Square Tower

This close-up view of Square Tower pueblo reveals the details of its construction. Adobe bricks were made to form the walls and many wooden poles were used to support floors and tie the walls together as well as for ladders.


/articlepics/56_colo_image-47.jpg
Spruce House

This shot of part of the Spruce House complex shows a pair of Kivas as viewed from the surface. Kivas were underground ceremonial gathering places and were an integral part of every pueblo. The rooms above represent living quarters for the pueblo's occupants. Artifacts recovered indicate that much of the day to day work was performed in the open areas of the pueblo and that the rooms behind were mainly for sleeping.


/articlepics/56_colo_image-48.jpg
Kiva

Kivas were the central gathering place for each pueblo community. This exposed view of a Kiva shows the how they were constructed. The occupants sat around the perimeter on the stone benches. The center of the roof structure was supported by a ladder, which also gave access to the Kiva. At each end chimney vents were located to provide fresh air for the fire and allow the fire's exhaust to escape out the center. Little is known about the Anasazai but it is presumed that these Kivas served some sort of religious or ceremonial service.



Return to Home Page

If you enjoyed this article be sure to recommend RVtechMag.com to your friends, like us on Facebook or Twitter or subscribe to our RSS feed.

         Twitter Facebook Subscribe to RSS Feed












Article Sections

Departments

Website Areas

Road Tests and Reviews Home Page About Me
Tech Articles RSS Feeds Site Map
Travel Destinations Announcements Privacy Policy
Misc Articles Contact Us Advertise With Us
Helpful Links  

 
© Copyright 2017 Mark Quasius All Rights Reserved
For more information feel free to Contact Us