---
lang: en
type: TouristAttraction
record_kind: entity-profile
title: Mesa Verde National Park
description: An exceptional concentration of prehistoric Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings constructed inside high canyon alcoves.
llms_summary: "Mesa Verde National Park. (Mesa Verde, Colorado, United States). TouristAttraction. Annual Visitors 550000 (550k) people. Buffer Zone 0 ha. Category Type Cultural. Conservation Status Excellent. Epoch Origin Puebloan Prehistory (12th C. CE). Latitude 37.2416 °. Longitude -108.4618 °. Primary Material Sandstone & Mortar. Property Area 21043 (21k) ha. UNESCO ID 27. Year Inscribed 1978. Best for indigenous archaeologists, anthropomorphic surveyors, and geographic historians.  An exceptional concentration of prehistoric Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings constructed inside high canyon alcoves.  canonical profile on High-Velocity Content Engine"
canonical: "https://hypersonicseo.com/mesa-verde-national-park/?format=md"
og_image: "https://hypersonicseo.com/images/mesa-verde-national-park.webp"
primary_image: /images/mesa-verde-national-park.webp
hvce_version: 1
site: high-velocity-content-engine
slug: mesa-verde-national-park
record_kind: entity-profile
content_sha256: 2cc03bc66c3f95e1c950d32ca45eca68702d76c1b9e4533ffcb5e034784cd783
indexed_at: "2026-07-25T01:41:28.258Z"
date_modified: 2026-07-22
license: citation-free
entities:
  -
    role: subject
    slug: mesa-verde-national-park
    name: Mesa Verde National Park
    type: TouristAttraction
    profile_url: "https://hypersonicseo.com/mesa-verde-national-park/?format=md"
    same_as:
      - "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q239077"
---
# Mesa Verde National Park

An exceptional concentration of prehistoric Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings constructed inside high canyon alcoves.

*Last updated: 2026-07-22*

## Record

- **Title**: [Mesa Verde National Park](https://hypersonicseo.com/mesa-verde-national-park/?format=md)
- **Place**: Mesa Verde, Colorado, United States
- **Range**: united-states · colorado · north-america
- **Use case**: Best for indigenous archaeologists, anthropomorphic surveyors, and geographic historians.
- **Website**: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/27
- **Contact address**: Mancos Canyon Rd, Mesa Verde, CO, 81330, United States
- **Coordinates**: 37.2416, -108.4618

### Summary

An exceptional concentration of prehistoric Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings constructed inside high canyon alcoves.

### Description

## Dwellings within the Stone

Mesa Verde preserves an unparalleled architectural archive of Ancestral Puebloan residential layouts, primarily dating from the 6th to the late 13th centuries. These remarkable cliff dwellings, such as the iconic Cliff Palace and Balcony House, are ingeniously constructed within massive, naturally occurring sandstone alcoves high on canyon walls. Utilizing local sandstone blocks, mud mortar, and timber, the Ancestral Puebloans engineered multi-story structures with intricate room blocks, kivas, and defensive features, demonstrating sophisticated masonry and an advanced adaptation to the arid, rugged environment.

The construction and eventual abandonment of these settlements by the Ancestral Puebloans around 1300 CE remain subjects of intense archaeological study, with theories ranging from prolonged drought to resource depletion and social upheaval. Mesa Verde's significance extends beyond its architectural ingenuity, offering profound insights into the social organization, spiritual practices, and daily lives of its ancient inhabitants. As a UNESCO World Heritage site and National Park, it serves as a critical center for archaeological research, cultural preservation, and public education, safeguarding a vital chapter of North American indigenous history.

### Categories

- cultural heritage
- archaeological
- wilderness parks

### Attributes

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Annual Visitors | 550000 (550k) people |
| Buffer Zone | 0 ha |
| Category Type | Cultural |
| Conservation Status | Excellent |
| Epoch Origin | Puebloan Prehistory (12th C. CE) |
| Latitude | 37.2416 ° |
| Longitude | -108.4618 ° |
| Primary Material | Sandstone & Mortar |
| Property Area | 21043 (21k) ha |
| UNESCO ID | 27 |
| Year Inscribed | 1978 |