Mesa Verde Wilderness, Archaeological site in Montezuma County, Colorado, United States.
Mesa Verde Wilderness is a region in Colorado containing more than 4,700 archaeological sites scattered across terrain between 6,000 and 8,572 feet (1,829-2,612 meters) in elevation. The land consists of thick forests of piñon and juniper trees, cut through by canyons where many settlements were built into cliff faces.
The first scientific documentation happened in 1874 when a photographer discovered small cliff dwellings in a canyon. After that, researchers became aware of the archaeological treasures hidden throughout this region.
The land holds traces of different communities who lived here over many centuries and gradually changed how they built homes and made pottery. Walking through the ruins, you notice how their construction methods and daily practices shifted from one era to the next.
The region requires hiking on uneven trails through forest and mountain terrain. Visitors should bring plenty of water, sturdy shoes, and proper preparation, as there is little infrastructure available.
Analysis of tree rings shows that a severe drought between 1276 and 1299 forced people to abandon their settlements completely. This prolonged dry period was so intense that the region remained unpopulated for a long time afterward.
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