This National Park is specifically a heritage park. It was established in 1906 for the preservation of Human works and relics. In 1978 Mesa Verde was recognized as a World Heritage Cultural Site.

This National Park showcases The Old Ones. The Ones who came before. Mesa Verde contains the archeological remains of a civilization that began farming the mesa somewhere around 700 C.E.. The dwelling sites, that have been excavated and studied, show the architectural evolution of those ancient ones. There is of course a strong emphasis on what has been found out about how these people lived.

But other than the obvious, who "they" were remains a mystery. We can say that this bit of civilization lasted for over five hundred years before they disappeared. I can also say that their final turn at housing was very stunning. The structures have here and there been restored, but only to a point. Still, that is more than enough to experience the grand task of construction.

Then they left it all. Their fields, irrigation systems, and their Grand Cities tucked into the caves and overhangs of Mesa Verda.

To learn more visit Mesa Verda on line.