Mesa Verde is a national park everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. It 's a site to behold and one full of history and intrigue. For those with a passion for archeology it is a gold mine of interesting ruins, artifacts, and new discoveries to be made. Mesa Verde is a national park as well as a world heritage center. It is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Within it 's canyon are many ruins including 150 room “cliff palace” as well as other structures top side. The only access to the structures inside the canyon was to literally climb down the shear canyon wall using foot holds. This allowed protection from any outside intruders. They were built with materials found in the surrounding area such as wood, mortar and sandstone. They were used by the ancestral puebloans for over 600 years starting around the 1190 's. These structures served several purposes such as living quarters and storage rooms. Others held symbolic purposes and provides a place to gather, for ceremonies and for leaders. Many …show more content…
However, during the Arcaic period two archaic groups likely converged near Mesa Verde where each brought their own languages, farming techniques and craft goods such as pottery. During the basket maker period there was a shift in need for a more sustainable source of food. Once nomads they begin to settle in the area and focus more on raising crops and building permanent housing. During the Pueblo period many farmsteads came together and started a large community. Housing was built together and communal areas were formed. Also, politics and rankings began to develop. Somewhere around 1285 A.D. the inhabitants of Mesa Verde began to migrate away and scatter through New Mexico and