Woods Canyon Pueblo
Life on the Edge
Mark
Varien
Mark
Varien is an archaeologist and the director of research at the Crow
Canyon Archaeological Center. He has studied many large ancient
Pueblo sites in the Mesa Verde region, including Woods Canyon Pueblo.
Mark excavated at Woods Canyon Pueblo in 1995 and 1996. He tells
us what he thinks about the pueblo and the possibility that people
there were worried about protection. |
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"The village
of Woods Canyon Pueblo was different from the settlements that came
before it in the area. Woods Canyon Pueblo was larger and many more
people lived there. Also, the village is located in a canyon setting,
and it is partly enclosed by a low stone wall. Earlier sites most
often are located on flat mesa tops, and they usually do not have enclosing walls. Finally, the
people who lived at Woods Canyon Pueblo built new types of structures,
such as towers, that are not
common at villages built before A.D. 1150.
"All
of these changes could have been made to protect the people who
lived at Woods Canyon Pueblo from intruders. Living in larger groups
would have provided more protection. Building high on the canyon
rim and placing an enclosing wall around parts of the village would
have made it more difficult for enemies to enter the village. Finally,
the towers could have been used as places to keep watch over the
surrounding area.
"Evidence for
conflict has been found at other villages that were occupied at
the same time as Woods Canyon Pueblo. It is possible that Pueblo
people chose to live on the edge of Woods Canyon so that they could
better defend themselves against their enemies." |
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