On a drive around the rim the afternoon after hiking to Cliff Palace, we ran across these views of other cliff dwellings. So before going back into a museum to learn more, let’s go driving.
Square Tower House
Square Tower House
cliff dwellings seen at this overlook are from A.D. 1200 – 1300
view from a distance; view up close is the first picture in this post
big picture of preserving this cliff dwelling, details follow
This alcove dwelling had 8 kivas and at least 60 rooms.
With all the preservation work that started in 1919, it looks so different from when rancher Richard Wetherill found it in 1888. Stabilization treatments have happen nearly every decade since the 1930s; however, 90% of what we see is original!
In 2013, all 4 stories of the tower were documented and stabilized. It’s the tallest ancient structure in the park.
What the area looked like before stabilization work started on it.
Wonder how workers have been able to get to this site to work on stabilizing it. We saw narrow trails leading to it from the road we were standing on it.
Sun Point view
This view is of many of the cliff dwellings during A.D. 1200 – 1300
“For 600 years, people lived next to the areas they farmed and walked to water. But during the 13th century, people began living by their water source and walking to their fields.”
The move to alcoves began around A.D. 1200, and by mid-century more than 30 cliff dwellings were in the Cliff Canyon and Fewkes Canyon neighborhoods.
These canyons would have been filled with signs and sounds of a bustling neighborhood: smoke from cook fires, children playing, men working in the mesa top fields, and people just living.
Children born in one of these cliff dwellings in A.D. 1225 lived through so many changes.
In a 75-year span, they and their families moved from mesa tops to the alcoves. By the end of the 13th century, most have moved from the Four Corners region, and the canyons were again quiet.
Fewkes Canyon hosted the Fire Temple, New Fire House, Oak Tree House, and the Sun Temple on top of the mesa (we’ll visit this temple later).
Cliff Canyon hosted Sun Temple, Mummy House, and Cliff Palace.
close up of one of the cliff dwelling areas
Fire Temple
Fire Temple shows little evidence of domestic activities but has a highly formalized plaza.
It may have served as a dance plaza or a great open, above-ground kiva. It may have served the surrounding community and probably hosted ceremonies that would attract groups coming from greater distances.
close up view
another dwelling tucked into an alcove
Cliff Palace view
We can’t get away from Cliff Palace, and we don’t want to!
The people who lived here for 700 years, sharing their skills, traditions, artistry, and knowledge from generation to generation, passed on their lives to modern Pueblo culture.
Through elaborate oral histories, most Pueblo people trace their ancestry back to the Four Corners region.
Cliff Palace was constructed in a very special location and was probably an important gathering place. Those living in the area would have been familiar with the dozens of footpaths connecting village to village.
Cliff Palace is tucked into the cliffs.
view up close
Before we see more above ground, let’s explore an archeological museum on the Mesa Top.
