Overview of Mesa Verde

These flashcards cover key concepts, terms, and definitions related to the archaeological and cultural significance of Mesa Verde.

Mesa Verde

One of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the world; the largest archaeological site in the United States.

Ancestral Puebloans

The ancestors of the modern Pueblo peoples, historically inhabited Mesa Verde.

Cliff dwellings

Structures built into the face of cliffs at Mesa Verde, made of stone and organic materials.

NAGPRA

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, a law passed in 1990 to protect Native American human remains and sacred objects.

Conservation issues

Challenges faced in preserving the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde, including effects from tourism, extreme weather, and forest fires.

Excavation

The process of digging up archaeological sites, which in the case of Mesa Verde included significant looting and improper removal of artifacts.

Environmental threats

Challenges such as forest fires and heavy foot traffic that endanger the structural integrity of the cliff dwellings.

Cultural significance

Mesa Verde's role as a historical site that is central to the culture and history of contemporary Native American communities.

Artifacts

Objects created by humans that are of historical or cultural interest, many of which were improperly removed from Mesa Verde.

Jesse Walter Fewkes

An important figure in the efforts to preserve Mesa Verde; associated with the Smithsonian and advocated for protective rules.