Colorado

"Spruce Tree House"

September 2012, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

Spruce Tree House is the 3rd largest cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde National Park. Like it's larger siblings, the dwelling lies within an enormous alcove which provides shelter from the elements. The 130-room community dates back approximately 800 years to the thirteenth century. It was built by the Anasazi, a tribe of ancient Pueblo Indian cliff-dwellers. The alcove is over 200 feet wide and 90 feet deep, more than enough acreage to house the estimated 60 - 80 residents of the time.

In the foreground are three square openings leading to underground kivas. The tops of two ladders can be seen protruding from 2 of the kivas. Spruce Tree House actually has a total of 8 kivas which the community would have used to conduct religious ceremonies.

AnasaziColoradoIndian RuinsMesa Verdespruce tree housekivaancientpueblo indianalcove