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Mesa Verde NP, Colorado
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Mesa Verde National Park, which includes the West Rim, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 for its well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings.
The Ancestral Puebloans, who lived in the area from approximately 600 to 1300 AD, built intricate stone communities in the cliffs.
The park contains more than 600 cliff dwellings and thousands of other archaeological sites, offering a glimpse into the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans.
The park's diverse ecosystems support a variety of plant and animal species, including piñon-juniper woodlands and mule deer.
The name reflects the lush vegetation that covers the flat-topped mesas in the region.
The Ancestral Puebloans used sandstone blocks and a mud mortar to build their homes, often incorporating natural rock overhangs for protection.
It was the first national park created to preserve the works of humankind, focusing on the archaeological significance of the area.
