Identification of Sites presented in Guided Tour
Slide 1: Cliff Palace
In December 1888, Cliff Palace was discovered by two cowboys, Richard Wetherill and Charlie Mason. It is the largest cliff dwelling in the Mesa Verde National Park, and is in fact the largest cliff dwelling in North America. It is built into the sandstone alcove, with access to the dwelling via walkways from the canyon at both ends of the large cave. Cliff Palace had 217 rooms and 23 kivas. (See detailed map of the layout of this amazing dwelling. ) It probably housed somewhere between 250 - 350 people. Tree Ring dates of wooden beams from Cliff Palace date it's construction between 1209 - 1270AD. Cliff Palace had four levels of rooms, with the upper level being used for storage. Further details of Cliff Palace can be seen here.
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Slide 2: Square Tower House
Square Tower House was named by the Wetherill brothers, and describes the tall, 4 storey structure that dominates the site. This structure is built in a shallow alcove in the west wall of Chapin Mesa, in Navajo Canyon. Access to the village was via two trails, one of them a toe hold trail that led down the sandstone cliff from the mesa top. Square Tower House was quite a large settlement, containing approximately 70 domestic rooms and 7 kivas. Some of these can be seen in the detailed photograph of Square Tower House
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Spruce Tree House is located in the Spruce Tree Canyon, and has been extensively restored. It was discovered by Richard Wetherill and Charlie Mason and was named such, after a tree growing near the site. However, this name was a mistake, for the tree was actually a Douglas Fir, not a SPRUCE! This dwelling has 114 rooms and 8 kivas and is the third largest dwelling in the Mesa Verde National Park. See here for a detailed map of the layout of this dwelling. This dwelling was occupied between 1200 and 1300AD, and held between 150 and 200 people. The details of this cliff dwelling can be seen here and further in the following slide.
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The interior of Spruce Tree House, shows the entry into a ceremonial kiva, via the courtyard above. Note the different shaped doorways. Also note the wooden rails that are at each level of the structure. Not only do these provide support for the dwelling, but they also were used for access to the higher stories of Spruce Tree House.
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Oak Tree House is located in Fewkes Canyon and has 6 kivas and 52-54 rooms. Most of the rooms on the upper ledge were used for storage, and were entered via ladders from the bottom level. The refuse dump was situated in front of the dwelling, into the slopes of the mesa. See here for a detailed layout of the dwelling.
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Own Photograph
Slide 3: Spruce Tree House
Own Photograph
Interior of Spruce Tree House
Own Photograph
Oak Tree House
