Living Under the Edge

Some people live on the edge but a group of early Native Americans preferred to make a home right beneath it.

Cliff's palace, located in Colorado's Mesa Verde National Park, is the largest cliff dwelling in North America. Archeological investigation of ancient site has revealed valuable information about the culture and history of the Ancient Pueblo people that once inhabited the region.

Investigators discovered pottery, baskets and other artifacts that showed how common trade was across the region during the Classic Period (1100 to 1300 A.D.). The natives had dogs, raised turkeys, mostly for eggs, and supplemented their diet with some hunting and gathering. Their diet consisted of mostly of corn, beans, and squash.

Ranger-guided tours are offered to visitors. But to protect the archeological resources, most cliffhouse dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park are closed or have limited access. All Anasazi ruins are considered sacred sites, particularly to the living descendents of the Anasazi.

—LiveScience Staff

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Credit: USGS