Cliff Palace, Archaeological site in Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, US.
Cliff Palace is a settlement tucked into a natural sandstone alcove in Colorado. The buildings fill a sheltered arch with living spaces, storage areas, and round underground rooms used for ceremonies.
The inhabitants built the settlement during the 12th century and expanded it over several decades into one of the largest cliff dwellings in the Southwest. They left the site at the end of the 13th century, likely due to drought and changes in trade.
The builders shaped each stone by hand and carried it through narrow cliff paths before setting it in place with mortar made from clay and water. The walls still show fingerprints from the hands that smoothed the clay more than seven centuries ago.
The paths run along narrow ledges and steep steps, so sturdy shoes and caution are necessary. Visitors can enter the site only with a park guide, and tours usually run from April through October.
Some of the ceiling beams still show the marks of stone tools used by the builders to shape the wood. The logs were brought from forests on the plateau, often over several miles.
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