Cliff Dwellings

Cliff dwellings are structures built by ancient cultures, particularly by the Ancestral Puebloans, in the cliffs and rock overhangs of canyons, primarily in the southwestern United States. These homes were designed for protection from the elements and potential threats, utilizing natural rock formations for stability. Often made from stone, adobe, or wood, cliff dwellings feature multiple rooms and sometimes complex architecture. Notable examples include those found in Mesa Verde National Park and Canyon de Chelly. These sites provide insight into the resourcefulness, adaptability, and social organization of the communities that built them.