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Mesa Verde NP, Colorado
Claim this place to tell your story your way.
Built by the Ancestral Puebloans, this site dates back to around 1200 AD and offers a glimpse into the lives of its ancient inhabitants.
The dwelling contains about 130 rooms and 8 kivas, which were used for religious and communal purposes.
In 1888, rancher Richard Wetherill and his brother-in-law Charlie Mason stumbled upon the site while searching for stray cattle.
It is located within Mesa Verde National Park, which was established in 1906 to protect the archaeological sites of the Ancestral Puebloans.
Due to concerns about rock falls and visitor safety, the trail has been closed since 2015, with no set date for reopening.
The Ancestral Puebloans used sandstone, wooden beams, and mortar made from soil and water to build the structure.
The dwelling was named for a large Douglas Spruce tree that once grew at the entrance of the alcove.
