Mesa Verde NP 05/17/16

Mesa_Verde_NP-003 This park was created to preserve human history. The only one in the NPS.
This park was created to preserve human history.
The only one in the NPS.
Mesa_Verde_NP-005 Sculpture of an indian mother and child going home. They climbed the cliffs many times every day.
Sculpture of an indian mother and child going home.
They climbed the cliffs many times every day.
Mesa_Verde_NP-006 Topology of the area.
Topology of the area.
Mesa_Verde_NP-011 The first road into the park was the 'Knife edge road' which ran right along here. Glad they have a new road for us.
The first road into the park was the 'Knife edge road' which ran right along here.
Glad they have a new road for us.
Mesa_Verde_NP-012 Enjoying a bit of sunshine before the exploration begins.
Enjoying a bit of sunshine before the exploration begins.
Mesa_Verde_NP-013 The cliffs look like a fortress.
The cliffs look like a fortress.
Mesa_Verde_NP-014 Narrow trail for us modern people.
Narrow trail for us modern people.
Mesa_Verde_NP-018 To reach the cliff dwellings, you have to use the rickety old ladders.
To reach the cliff dwellings, you have to use the rickety old ladders.
Mesa_Verde_NP-022 Climbing from room to room in the Balcony House. Note how well the bricks were formed and how they have held up over 700 years.
Climbing from room to room in the Balcony House.
Note how well the bricks were formed and how they have held up over 700 years.
Mesa_Verde_NP-023 See the ladder to get to the foot holds?
See the ladder to get to the foot holds?
Mesa_Verde_NP-026 Great construction at all the sites.
Great construction at all the sites.
Mesa_Verde_NP-027 Most cliff dwellings don't have a balcony. The guess is that this was an early daycare center. Don't want the kids falling off the sheer cliff.
Most cliff dwellings don't have a balcony.
The guess is that this was an early daycare center.
Don't want the kids falling off the sheer cliff.
Mesa_Verde_NP-029 This was somebody's living space for the entire family.
This was somebody's living space for the entire family.
Mesa_Verde_NP-030 Good shot of a hand to toe trail. Indian highway in their time.
Good shot of a hand to toe trail.
Indian highway in their time.
Mesa_Verde_NP-031 Look for the bricked up doorway in the middle of the photo. They guess one side just didn't like the neighbors and did this.
Look for the bricked up doorway in the middle of the photo.
They guess one side just didn't like the neighbors and did this.
Mesa_Verde_NP-033 A narrow passage between dwellings.
A narrow passage between dwellings.
Mesa_Verde_NP-040 A kiva, subterranean place of worship. Indians thought the spirits lived deep underground. Exactly opposite of our beliefs.
A kiva, subterranean place of worship.
Indians thought the spirits lived deep underground.
Exactly opposite of our beliefs.
Mesa_Verde_NP-041 The black on the walls was caused by controlled fire, cooking fires. The pink is uncontrolled fire, like the place burned down.
The black on the walls was caused by controlled fire, cooking fires.
The pink is uncontrolled fire, like the place burned down.
Mesa_Verde_NP-042 These are not windows, they are doors. When these were occupied, they were covered with animal hide.
These are not windows, they are doors.
When these were occupied, they were covered with animal hide.
Mesa_Verde_NP-043 Must have been a food prep area. See the three corn grinders in the pit?
Must have been a food prep area.
See the three corn grinders in the pit?

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