Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park preserves over 5,000 archaeological sites, including 600 spectacular cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Puebloans between 600 and 1300 CE. The most famous is Cliff Palace, which has 150 rooms and 23 ceremonial chambers called kivas. These ancient people were incredible architects and engineers who built their homes in natural caves in the cliff faces, using stone tools and their bare hands. They grew corn, beans, and squash on the mesa tops and created beautiful pottery and baskets. The park's name 'Mesa Verde' means 'green table' in Spanish because of the flat-topped mountains covered in green forests. Visitors can take guided tours to explore these ancient homes and learn about the fascinating people who lived here long before Columbus reached America.