Cliff Palace

Canyons between the mesas provided the terrain for the cliff dwellings. During the cliff dwelling period, the Puebloans lived in the cliffs, but farmed the flat land on the mesa tops.









Cliff Palace, with more than 150 rooms, is the largest cliff dwelling in the United States.  The cliff dwellings were built in alcoves so the overhanging rock provided protection from the weather as well as from attack from above.







A closer view of Cliff Palace. The structures are about 70% original. The round structures are kivas; their roofs have fallen in.






A closer view of a kiva; they are believed to be used for ceremonial purposes, as well as a place where the family could gather.








Another view of Cliff Palace.