13 Hidden Historical Sites in America More Fascinating Than Mount Rushmore

3. Mesa Verde National Park: Cliff Dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans

Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado is home to some of the best-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings in North America. These structures, built into the alcoves of sandstone cliffs, were occupied from the 6th to the 12th centuries. Cliff Palace, the largest dwelling, contains over 150 rooms and 23 kivas, ceremonial structures used for religious rituals. The park provides insights into the daily lives, architectural prowess, and cultural practices of the Ancestral Puebloans. The abandonment of these dwellings in the late 13th century is still a topic of research, drawing visitors intrigued by the mysteries of this ancient civilization.