image of ancient mesa verde cliff dwellings with intricate carvings and wellpreserved ruins

archaeological site cultural heritage southwest united states mesa verde national park colorado ancient puebloans cliff dwellings rockcut houses prehistoric architecture indigenous people native american culture anasazi ancestral pueblos sandstone walls ladders scaffolds kiva great house pithouse storage rooms ceremonial structures petroglyphs frescoes palace balcony long square tower step sun temple spiral staircase hopi influence zuni ute mountain tribe basketmakers pueblo iii period