“Living inside of mountains”. More than fourteen centuries ago,
in about A.D. 500, ancient Americans came to live in
southwestern Colorado in the place known today as Mesa Verde.
For hundreds of years these people lived and farmed on the flat
mesa top. Then, around 1190, many of them moved into alcoves in
the cliffs of narrow canyons below. Nimbly climbing steep rock
walls, they carried stones, water, and mud for building. Later,
when the structures were complete, the inhabitants brought crops
harvested from nearby fields, freshly killed wild game, and
other things they needed to live. Members of the village
produced pottery, baskets, and finely crafted stone and bone
tools. Traders from far away came with shells, cloth, and news
from the outside world. It was a thriving, productive community.
Then, in the late 1200s the people abandoned their alcove homes
in Mesa Verde, never to return. Today Mesa Verde is a very
popular tourist destination in the Four Corner area (where
Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexic