— To look at our ancestors’ lives often provides us with a rewarding experience that teaches us valuable facts about our present lives. Places such as the Alcove House at Bandelier NM are fascinating pieces of history. The Alcove House at Bandelier National Monument, for example, is an important window into our past. It is one of the best-preserved examples of Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings in the Southwest of the United States. The homes at Alcove House were built into a natural alcove in the cliff, and they are still relatively intact. This makes it possible for visitors to get a close-up look at how the Ancestral Puebloans lived. While excavating this site, archaeologists found a wealth of artifacts, including pottery, tools, and bone remains. These artifacts provide valuable information about the Ancestral Puebloans’ culture and way of life.
This sacred site was once the home of twenty-five Ancestral Pueblo people. The Kiva you see here is still standing. Part of it is a reconstruction, and part of it is still the original. One reason there were such cliff dwellings was for protection. These homes were hard to reach and visitors could be spotted at far distances on the canyon floor.
Getting to the top of the Alcove House at Bandelier National Monument is only half the fun! Here’s the description from the NPS website:
Formerly known as Ceremonial Cave, this alcove is located 140 feet [42.5 meters] above the floor of Frijoles Canyon. Once home to approximately 25 Ancestral Pueblo people, the elevated site is now reached by 4 wooden ladders and a number of stone stairs.
The next two photos show some stone steps on the canyon floor along the Main Loop trail and also the Alcove House as seen from the canyon floor way up on the right side of the photo. If you click to enlarge the photos, you will see some people climbing the wooden ladders in the second photo. For a close-up view of the wooden ladders themselves, please see the Stairway to Heaven post.
As visitors walk the Main Loop trail, they can witness what life used to be like when these dwellings were built. On the Frijoles Canyon floor, for example, you can see the remains of the Tyuonyi Pueblo homes. This Anasazi pueblo was once a large and thriving community, with over 400 rooms and several kivas (ceremonial chambers). The pueblo was abandoned around 1300 CE, for reasons that are still unknown. Here is more information about the Tyuonyi Pueblo.
This post is inspired by Amy’s blog The World is a Book… and her call for the Lens-Artisis Challenge #262: Framing Your Photos.
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margaret21
You’ve framed some wonderful views of the past.
Amy
You photos are magnificient, Egidio! You have framed this well preserved Alcove House beautifully. Breathtaking views from the top. Bandelier is one of my favorite places. Thank you for sharig with us.
Sofia Alves
Gorgeous place so beautifully captured, Egídio. I love the colours, so rich.
Tina Schell
Fascinating post Egidio, I’d not heard of these people before. Would love to see the site but wouldn’t be keen to climb those steps!!! Wonderful images perfectly framed.
JohnRH
Great photos and commentary. Seems like mankind has lived anywhere and everywhere he could eke out a living, for awhile at least.
Egídio Leitão
Thanks for the feedback, Margaret. It’s very much appreciated.
Egídio Leitão
Amy, thank you for the compliment and challenge you created. Bandelier NM is a great treasure indeed.
Egídio Leitão
Muito obrigado, Sofia. Aprecio suas gentis palavras.
Egídio Leitão
Thanks for your compliment and feedback, Tina. My husband and I really enjoy visiting sites such as this. We have been to several of them in the USA Southwest. Fascinating history!
Egídio Leitão
That is so true, John. Thank you for your feedback.
Amy
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Leya
Magnificent photos as usual,
Egídio. Beautifully framed.
Egídio Leitão
Leya, your words are appreciated. Thanks for writing.