Archaeology of today

 History goes deep.

Mesa Verde is well known for the many Ancestral Pueblo sites that cover the landscape, where farmers made their homes from 500 AD to 1300 AD. But there is also evidence for the pre-agricultural history on the land, such as this knapped stone point found in the backcountry. This artifact is most consistent with Hell Gap-type points, which typically date from 10,900 to 12,300 years ago!

In fact, discoveries at White Sands National Park indicate that people have been living in what is now the American Southwest for at least 20,000 years! These pieces of evidence are rarer due to the passage of time, but physical evidence increasingly shows that people are an integral part of these lands.

Commenter Dann Russell said:

Looks more like a Haskett due to the rounded base, whereas Hellgap are squared off.

Image credit: NPS/ Logan Dean

National Park Service?

SOURCE: Mesa Verde National Park Facebook page.

This and many other finds have shown that humans were in the Americas way before the Bering Strait land bridge theory which has long been taught by archaeologists as how first humans arrived.

Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado offers a unique window into the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans, a people who built and thrived in this region over 700 years ago. Established as a national park in 1906, Mesa Verde preserves some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in North America, making it a place where history, archaeology, and stunning landscapes converge.

As you explore the park, you'll discover the incredible architecture of the cliff dwellings, which are nestled into the sides of steep sandstone cliffs. The most famous of these is Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in North America, with over 150 rooms and 23 kivas (ceremonial rooms). Walking through these ancient structures, you can almost feel the presence of the people who once called this place home, as you imagine what daily life was like in this rugged yet beautiful environment.

Beyond the cliff dwellings, Mesa Verde offers a landscape of rolling mesas, deep canyons, and panoramic views of the surrounding region. The park’s diverse terrain supports a wide variety of plant and animal life, adding another layer of richness to the experience. Hiking trails such as the Petroglyph Point Trail or the Soda Canyon Overlook offer opportunities to explore the park’s natural beauty while also encountering ancient rock carvings and more secluded ruins.

Visiting Mesa Verde is not just a journey into the past; it's also a chance to connect with a landscape that has been home to humans for thousands of years. The park stands as a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of the Ancestral Puebloans and offers a profound reminder of the deep history that shapes the American Southwest. SOURCE: Mesa Verde National Park Facebook page.

Today's quote:

I held a blue flower in my hand, probably a wild aster, wondering what its name was, and then thought that human names for natural things are superfluous. Nature herself does not name them. The important thing is to know this flower, look at its color until the blends become as real as a keynote of music. Look at the exquisite yellow flowerets at the center; become very small with them. Be the flower, be the trees, the blowing grasses. Fly with the birds, jump with a squirrel!
- Sally Carrighar, Home to the Wilderness