Mesa Verde Cliff Palace Tower House
Neolithic to Iron Age (6000 BCE–500 CE)·Neolithic·🇺🇸 Colorado, Mesa Verde, United States
About
About Mesa Verde Cliff Palace Tower House
Mesa Verde Cliff Palace Tower House in Colorado, Mesa Verde, United States is a Neolithic to Iron Age (6000 BCE–500 CE) ancient village attributed to Neolithic. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal site extent 150 × 90 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 37.1670N -108.4720E controls access to Colorado resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient village for Colorado, Mesa Verde, illustrating Neolithic construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 4000 BCE–500 CE
- Period
- Neolithic to Iron Age (6000 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Neolithic
- Purpose
- Ceremonial and residential complex
- Rediscovered
- 1969 survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 4000 BCE–500 CE
Initial construction of Mesa Verde Cliff Palace Tower House main structure
c. 1909
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1969–2014
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Mesa Verde Cliff Palace Tower House) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
37.1670° N · 108.4720° W · 143 m · 3 mapped features
Mesa Verde Cliff Palace Tower House — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient village — Site extent 150 × 90 m with diagnostic masonry/panel
37.1678° N · 108.4711° WMesa Verde Cliff Palace Tower House — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
37.1660° N · 108.4727° WMesa Verde Cliff Palace Tower House — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
37.1685° N · 108.4708° W