ARCHAEOLOGY
& CULTURE
- MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK
- LOWRY PUEBLO
- HOVENWEEP NATIONAL MONUMENT
- UTE MOUNTAIN TRIBAL PARK
- ANASAZI HERITAGE CENTER
- CORTEZ CULTURAL CENTER
- CROW CANYON ARCHAEOLOGICAL CENTER
- THE CULTURE CONTINUES
From approximately A.D. 1 to 1300, the Ancestral Puebloans inhabited the Four Corners Area.
Their primary crops were corn, beans, and squash. They domesticated the turkey, and continued to gather wild plant foods and hunt game in order to supplement their diet.
The Ancestral Puebloans are known for their remarkable building techniques. From pit houses to multi-storied cliff dwellings, these structures remain as a tribute to their remarkable architectural abilities. The Ancestral Puebloans were also highly skilled potters, and beautiful decorated bowls, ladles, mugs, and other intricate ceramic items have been found in sites throughout the region.
There are many theories about why the Ancestral Pueblo people gradually migrated from the area by A.D. 1300. Their movements may have been related to drought, climate change, soil erosion, or overuse of the area's resources. Or there may have been a cultural reason for their migration. Perhaps the reason was simply that "it was time." We do know that the modern day Pueblo People are their descendants. A visit to Mesa Verde Country®, the archaeological center of America, is a must for anyone who desires a very special glimpse into the heritage of today's Pueblo people.
