Woods Canyon Pueblo

Life on the Edge

Mark Varien

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.

gray dividing line

"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.

Students next to a wall at Woods Canyon Pueblo."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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