Mesa Verde National Park is about 6 driving hours to the west. It's known for the “pre-pueblo” inhabitants from about 500 to 1200 B.C. and their cliff dwellings. They built amazing communities. Then they left! There are various theories, but a 24 year drought is the main theory – especially since there's not much water there to begin with. Again, it is theorized that they were absorbed into the other southwest native cultures like Navaho and Hopi.
This is a picture of Cliff Palace, which you have to visit with a "ranger led" tour. They're pretty strict about what you touch and understandably. These places have been looted for many years, so I guess it's good you have to traipse along with others . . . . But the ranger dude was informative and we learned things we wouldn't have any other way.
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